JP2004305535A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on which the puncturing direction of a puncturing needle is automatically displayed only when the puncturing needle is attached to a guide tool. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving means which scans the inside of an objective part with an ultrasonic wave and, at the same time, receives echoes through the probe, and an image generating means which generates an image based on the echoes. The apparatus also comprises a displaying means which displays the image, the guide tool which is coupled with the ultrasonic probe and guides the puncturing needle punctured within the scanning extent of the ultrasonic wave, and a detecting means 10 which detects the direction of the puncturing needle guided by the guide tool. In addition, the apparatus also comprises a transmitting means 12 which transmits the detect signal of the detecting means 10, a figure generating means 14 which generates a figure showing the direction of the puncturing needle based on the transmitted signal, and a superimposing means 16 which superimposes the figure upon the displayed image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing a biopsy or the like in parallel with an ultrasonic diagnosis.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into a target, receives an echo of the ultrasonic wave, and generates various diagnostic information including a tomographic image of the target based on the echo reception signal.
[0003]
Puncture with a puncture needle is performed in parallel with ultrasonic diagnosis for biopsy or the like of the affected part. When performing puncturing, a guide for puncturing is attached to an ultrasonic probe, and a puncture needle is attached to this guide to perform puncturing. The guide tool has a plurality of guide holes, and the user performs puncture through an appropriate one of the plurality of guide holes according to the position of the affected part to be punctured (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-340334 A (pages 5, 6; FIGS. 8, 9)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In performing the puncture, the puncture direction is displayed on the tomographic image in advance. In this case, the user attaches the puncture needle to the guide tool and changes the puncture direction through the keyboard (keyboard) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is necessary to perform a two-stage operation of performing an operation for displaying on an image.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a puncture direction is automatically displayed just by attaching a puncture needle to a guide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is directed to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving means connected to the ultrasonic probe by a cable, which scans the inside of a target with ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic probe and receives echoes. Image generating means for generating an image based on the echo; display means for displaying the image; and a guide tool coupled to the ultrasonic probe and guiding a puncture needle to be punctured within an ultrasonic scanning range. Detection means for detecting the direction of the puncture needle guided by the guide, transmission means for transmitting a detection signal of the detection means, reception means for receiving a transmission signal of the transmission means, and the received signal A graphic generating means for generating a graphic representing the direction of the puncture needle based on the image, and superimposing means for superimposing the graphic on the displayed image. A wave diagnostic apparatus.
[0008]
In the present invention, the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving means scans the inside of the target with ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic probe and receives an echo, the image generating means generates an image based on the echo, and the image is displayed by the display means. A guide coupled to the ultrasonic probe, for guiding a puncture needle to be punctured within an ultrasonic scanning range, detecting means for detecting a direction of the puncture needle guided by the guide, and transmitting means By transmitting the detection signal of the detecting means, receiving means receives the transmission signal of the transmitting means, and generating a graphic representing the direction of the puncture needle based on the received signal by the graphic generating means, and superimposes Since the figure is superimposed on the displayed image by the means, the puncture direction is automatically displayed simply by attaching the puncture needle to the guide.
[0009]
It is preferable that the guide tool has a variable guide direction in that the degree of freedom of puncture is large. It is preferable that the guide has a single guide hole in which the direction of the central axis is variable, because selection of the guide hole is unnecessary. It is preferable that the detecting means detects the direction of the central axis of the guide hole based on the resistance value of the variable resistor in that the direction is detected steplessly. It is preferable that the detecting means detects the direction of the center axis of the guide hole based on the ON / OFF state of the plurality of optical switches, in that the direction is detected in a non-contact manner. It is preferable that the detecting means detects the direction of the center axis of the guide hole based on the ON / OFF state of the plurality of magnetic switches, in that the direction is detected in a non-contact and non-power-supply manner.
[0010]
It is preferable that the guide has a plurality of guide holes having different directions of the central axis, because a movable portion for changing the direction is not required. It is preferable that the detecting means detects the direction of the puncture needle based on a change in the electromagnetic state of a plurality of coils provided in each of the plurality of guide holes, in that the direction is detected in a non-contact manner.
[0011]
It is preferable that the transmission means performs transmission by wire since the signal attenuation is small. It is preferable that the wired transmission is performed using a signal line in the cable in order to avoid an increase in the number of cables. It is preferable that the transmission means is wireless transmission because a signal line is unnecessary.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. This device is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an embodiment relating to the device of the present invention is shown by the configuration of the present device.
[0013]
As shown in the figure, the present apparatus has an ultrasonic probe 100. The ultrasonic probe 100 is brought into contact with the target 1 by a user. The ultrasonic probe 100 is an example of an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention.
[0014]
The ultrasonic probe 100 is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 202 by a signal cable 102. The transmission / reception unit 202 gives a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 100 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The transmission / reception unit 202 also receives an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 100. The transmission / reception unit 202 is an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit in the present invention.
[0015]
The transmission / reception unit 202 is connected to the diagnosis information generation unit 204. The diagnostic information generating unit 204 receives the echo reception signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 202 and generates diagnostic information based on the echo received signal. The diagnostic information generation unit 204 is an example of an embodiment of an image generation unit according to the present invention.
[0016]
As the diagnostic information, for example, a B-mode (mode) image, a color Doppler (color Doppler) image, a Doppler spectrum (Doppler spectrum) image, and the like are generated. The B-mode image represents a tomographic image to be diagnosed. The color Doppler image represents a velocity distribution image of a blood flow or the like in a diagnosis target. The Doppler spectrum image represents the spectrum of the Doppler signal. Such diagnostic information is displayed on the display unit 206 connected to the diagnostic information generation unit 204. The display unit 206 is an example of an embodiment of a display unit in the present invention.
[0017]
The transmission / reception unit 202, the diagnosis information generation unit 204, and the display unit 206 are controlled by the control unit 208. An operation unit 210 is connected to the control unit 208. The operation unit 210 is operated by a user, and inputs appropriate commands and information to the control unit 208.
[0018]
A guide 300 for a puncture needle is attached to the ultrasonic probe 100. The user performs puncture with the puncture needle 400 using the guide tool 300. The guide 300 is an example of an embodiment of the guide according to the present invention.
[0019]
The guide 300 has means for detecting the puncture direction of the puncture needle, and the detection signal is input to the control unit 208. The detection of the puncture direction will be described later.
[0020]
2 and 3 show a configuration of a main part of the guide 300. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. As shown in both figures, the guide 300 has a puncture needle attachment part 500 and a probe coupling part 600. The puncture needle attachment part 500 is a part to which a puncture needle is attached, and is integrated with the probe coupling part 600.
[0021]
The probe coupling portion 600 is a portion that couples to the ultrasonic probe 100 and has an annular structure having an inner periphery that matches the outer periphery of the ultrasonic probe 100. The figure shows a portion of such a probe coupling portion 600.
[0022]
Puncture needle mounting section 500 has movable section 510 and fixed section 550. The movable part 510 is a plate-shaped member having a substantially fan shape. The fixed portion 550 is a substantially U-shaped plate-like member sandwiching the movable portion 510 from both sides.
[0023]
The movable section 510 is rotatable about a fixed section 550 about a shaft 512 provided at a portion corresponding to the pivot of the fan. The rotation angle of the movable part 510 is defined by the groove 552 provided in the fixed part 550 and the horizontal pin 514 engaged with the groove 552. The groove 552 is provided along the thickness direction of the plate on the end surface of the fixed portion 550 opposite to the shaft 512. A plurality of grooves 552 are provided at predetermined intervals. Here, an example in which the number is three is shown, but the number is not limited to three and may be an appropriate number.
[0024]
The horizontal pin 514 is provided perpendicular to the vertical pin 516. The vertical pin 516 is implanted on the opposite side of the axis 512 of the movable part 510. The vertical pin 516 has a knob 518 at the end so that a user can pinch it to pull out or push in the vertical pin 516.
[0025]
Therefore, by pulling out the vertical pin 516 to release the engagement between the horizontal pin 514 and the groove 552 and rotating the movable part 510 to engage the horizontal pin 514 with another groove 552, the rotation of the movable part 510 The angle can be changed.
[0026]
The movable portion 510 has a single guide hole 520 for a puncture needle on the opposite side of the fan from the side where the vertical pin 516 is implanted. The guide hole 520 penetrates the movable portion 510 in the radial direction of the fan shape. The guide hole 520 is an example of the embodiment of the guide hole in the present invention.
[0027]
A puncture needle is inserted into this guide hole 520 in the vertical direction in the figure. The direction of the puncture needle is defined by the angle of the central axis of the guide hole 520. Since there is only one guide hole 520, there is no need for labor for selection. The angle of the central axis of the guide hole 520, that is, the direction of the puncture needle, can be changed by changing the rotation angle of the movable part 510. FIG. 4 shows an example of the direction change.
[0028]
The guide 300 has a built-in means for detecting the direction of the puncture needle. Examples of the angle detecting means are schematically shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 shows an example using a variable resistor. The main body of the variable resistor 700 is provided on the fixed part 550 side, and the sliding contact is displaced on the main body as the movable part 510 rotates. This makes it possible to detect the direction of the puncture needle based on the resistance value of the variable resistor 700. The variable resistor 700 is an example of the embodiment of the variable resistor according to the present invention.
[0029]
In the variable resistor 700, since the resistance value changes steplessly, the rotation angle of the movable portion 510 is changed by a notch mechanism composed of the lateral pin 514 and the groove 552 in a discrete manner as described above. May be changed continuously using an angle holding mechanism or the like.
[0030]
FIG. 6 shows an example using light. In the figure, the light source 802 is linearly displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the movable part 510, and a plurality of optical switches 804 are arranged along the path of the displacement. The positions of the plurality of optical switches 804 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of rotation angle positions of the movable unit 510. Therefore, the direction of the puncture needle can be known based on which optical switch 804 is turned on. Non-contact detection can be performed by using light. The optical switch 804 is an example of an embodiment of the optical switch according to the present invention.
[0031]
FIG. 7 shows an example using magnetism. In the figure, the magnet 902 is displaced linearly in conjunction with the rotation of the movable part 510, and a plurality of magnetic switches 904 are arranged along the path of the displacement. The positions of the plurality of magnetic switches 904 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of rotation angle positions of the movable unit 510. Therefore, the direction of the puncture needle can be known from which magnetic switch 904 is turned on. By using magnetism, detection can be performed without contact and without a power source. The magnetic switch 904 is an example of an embodiment of the magnetic switch according to the present invention.
[0032]
8 and 9 show another configuration of the main part of the guide 300. FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view, and FIG. 9 is a side view. In both figures, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0033]
As shown in both figures, the puncture needle mounting part 500 'is a substantially fan-shaped plate-shaped member. The puncture needle attachment part 500 'has a plurality of guide holes 530. The plurality of guide holes 530 penetrate in the fan-shaped radial direction of the puncture needle mounting portion 500 '. Thus, the plurality of guide holes 530 have different central axis angles. The user performs puncture using the guide hole 530 at a desired angle. Therefore, a movable part for changing the angle is not required.
[0034]
The guide device 300 includes means for detecting which guide hole 530 the puncture needle has been inserted into. Since the direction of the puncture needle is determined by the angle of the inserted guide hole 530, if the guide hole 530 into which the puncture needle is inserted is known, the direction of the puncture needle can be known.
[0035]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the detecting means. As shown in the figure, each guide hole 530 has a coil 532. The coil 532 is a solenoid coil having the guide hole 530 as an air core.
[0036]
When the puncture needle is inserted into the guide hole 530, the electromagnetic coil of the air-core solenoid coil changes its electromagnetic state because it is not air-core. Therefore, the presence or absence of the puncture needle can be detected using the change in the electromagnetic state of the coil 532. The change in the electromagnetic state is detected as, for example, a voltage applied to both ends of the coil 532 and a voltage change based on electromagnetic induction when a puncture needle is inserted. Thus, non-contact detection is performed.
[0037]
The direction of the puncture needle 400 detected as described above is input to the control unit 208. Control unit 208 causes display unit 206 to display the direction of puncture needle 400 based on the input signal. The display of the direction of the puncture needle 400 is performed by, for example, a straight line superimposed on the diagnostic image.
[0038]
FIG. 11 shows a functional block diagram of the present apparatus from detection of the puncture direction to display. As shown in the figure, the present device has a detection unit 10, a transmission unit 12, a graphic generation unit 14, and a superposition unit 16. The graphic generation unit 14 and the superposition unit 16 are a part of the function of the control unit 208.
[0039]
The detection unit 10 is an example of an embodiment of a detection unit according to the present invention. The transmission unit 12 is an example of an embodiment of a transmission unit according to the present invention. The graphic generation unit 14 is an example of an embodiment of a graphic generation unit according to the present invention. The superposition unit 16 is an example of an embodiment of a superposition unit in the present invention.
[0040]
The detection unit 10 corresponds to the above-described variable resistor 700, optical switch 804, magnetic switch 904, or coil 532. The direction of the puncture needle 400 detected by the detection unit 10 is transmitted to the graphic generation unit 14 by the transmission unit 12. The transmission unit 12 performs wired or wireless transmission.
[0041]
In the case of a wired connection, it is convenient in handling to include the transmission line in the signal cable 102 for the ultrasonic probe 100. It goes without saying that an independent signal line may be used. Wired transmission has the advantage of low signal attenuation. In the case of wireless communication, a transmitter is provided in the guide 300 and a receiver is provided on the control unit 208 side. Wireless transmission has the advantage of eliminating the need for signal lines.
[0042]
The graphic generating unit 14 generates a graphic representing the direction of the puncture needle 400 based on the transmitted signal and inputs the generated graphic to the superimposing unit 16. The superimposing unit 16 superimposes a figure representing the direction of the puncture needle 400 on the diagnostic image. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the direction of the puncture needle 400 is indicated by, for example, a dashed direction indication graphic 18.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a puncture direction is automatically displayed just by attaching a puncture needle to a guide.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a guide tool.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a guide tool.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a guide tool.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection unit.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection unit.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a guide tool.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the guide tool.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection unit.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a direction display of a puncture needle.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ultrasonic probe 102 cable 202 transmitting / receiving section 204 diagnostic information generating section 206 display section 208 control section 210 operating section 300 guide tool 400 puncture needle 10 detecting section 12 transmitting section 14 graphic generating section 16 superimposing section 18 puncturing direction display graphic

Claims (11)

An ultrasonic probe,
Ultrasonic transmission / reception means connected to the ultrasonic probe by a cable and scanning the inside of the target with ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic probe and receiving an echo,
Image generating means for generating an image based on the echo,
Display means for displaying the image,
A guide that is coupled to the ultrasonic probe and guides a puncture needle to be punctured within the ultrasonic scanning range,
Detecting means for detecting the direction of the puncture needle guided by the guide tool,
Transmission means for transmitting a detection signal of the detection means,
A graphic generating means for generating a graphic representing the direction of the puncture needle based on the transmitted signal,
Superimposing means for superimposing the graphic on the displayed image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The guide tool has a variable guide direction,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide has a single guide hole whose direction of a central axis is variable. The detecting means detects a direction of a center axis of the guide hole based on a resistance value of the variable resistor.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The detecting means detects the direction of the central axis of the guide hole based on the ON / OFF state of the plurality of optical switches,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The detecting means detects the direction of the center axis of the guide hole based on the ON / OFF state of the plurality of magnetic switches,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The guide has a plurality of guide holes with different directions of the central axis,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The detecting means detects a direction of the puncture needle based on a change in an electromagnetic state of a plurality of coils provided in each of the plurality of guide holes,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The transmission means performs transmission by wire,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The wired transmission is performed using a signal line in the cable,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The transmission means performs wireless transmission,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:

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