JP2005074084A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment that can execute a flash scan easily at random timing and determine accordingly whether a high-intensity region is a tissue or an area photographed by a contrast agent. <P>SOLUTION: While a base protocol of FEI is running, an interruption protocol is executed at random timing. For example, if a flash scan execution protocol works as the interruption protocol, contrast bubbles that present in a photographing region can be destroyed easily and quickly at random timing. As a result, an operator can observe a process from the beginning of infusion of the contrast agent to photographing at desired timing and determine easily and quickly whether the high-intensity region is the tissue or the area photographed by the contrast agent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of executing a flash scan at an arbitrary timing in flash echo imaging (FEI) that performs a flash scan (intermittent transmission) according to a predetermined protocol.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a medical imaging device that non-invasively obtains a tomographic image of soft tissue in a living body from a body surface by an ultrasonic pulse reflection method. Compared to other medical imaging equipment, this ultrasonic diagnostic device has features such as small size, low cost, no exposure to X-rays, high safety, blood flow imaging, etc., and the heart, abdomen, urology, Widely used in obstetrics and gynecology.

  In this ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, it is possible to visualize biological information by various imaging methods. For example, the contrast echo method is intended to enhance the ultrasonic scattering echo by administering an ultrasonic contrast agent composed of microbubbles or the like into a blood vessel of a subject. In this contrast echo method, as represented by the FEI method, a nonlinear echo signal generated when the contrast agent is destroyed with high sound pressure may be imaged (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a method, a mode (intermittent transmission mode, FEI mode) for intermittently controlling a frame that destroys the contrast agent with high sound pressure is essential. Usually, this intermittent transmission mode is executed according to a preset base protocol.

  For example, in myocardial FEI using ECG, first, monitoring is performed by monitor scanning, and frame scanning is performed by triggering several heartbeats at the end of myocardial systole once while synchronizing with the R wave of the ECG waveform of the subject. Execute and visualize a predetermined cross section of the subject. Subsequently, when the contrast medium is administered while continuing monitoring, it becomes possible to recognize that the imaging cross section is gradually shaded and the tissue is filled with bubbles.

  After a while after administration of the contrast agent, the imaging region is filled with the contrast agent. As shown in FIG. 9, when this situation is observed with a B-mode image, since many areas are shaded, is the high-luminance area due to high-luminance echo (an old myocardial infarction site)? Or, it may not be possible to determine whether it is due to a contrast medium. In addition, even in the observation by the pseudo Doppler method, there are cases where it is not possible to distinguish motion artifacts from staining with contrast agents.

  Therefore, in normal FEI, as shown in FIG. 10, intermittent transmission is changed with a limited amount of contrast agent, bubbles in the scanning plane are destroyed by high sound pressure transmission, and staining due to inflow of contrast agent is performed again. Check the change in shade. Thereby, it can be judged whether a high-intensity area | region is a structure | tissue or a shadowed area by a contrast agent.

However, according to the above-described method, since it is executed according to a preset base protocol, it cannot be confirmed at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the operator needs to wait until the next flash scan. In addition, in the case where a plurality of confirmations are desired, it is necessary to realize a flash echo corresponding to the number of times, and it is necessary to wait for that amount, which is problematic in terms of efficiency.
JP 2001-70304 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the FEI mode in which flash scanning is performed according to a predetermined protocol, flash scanning is simply executed at an arbitrary timing, and a high-intensity region is a tissue or a region stained with a contrast agent. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can appropriately determine whether or not.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined portion of a subject to which a contrast agent bubble has been administered, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the subject, An ultrasonic probe for receiving an echo signal based on the ultrasonic wave, a drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe, and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic wave based on the echo signal An image generating means for generating an image; a display means for displaying the ultrasonic image; a control means for controlling each of the drive signal generating means, the image generating means, and the display means according to a first protocol; Instruction means for instructing control according to a second protocol relating to the interrupt operation of the control section, wherein the control means is configured so that the instruction means is controlled during control according to the first protocol. If it is made, control according to the first protocol is stopped, and the drive signal generating means, the image generating means, and the display means are controlled according to the second protocol, and the second protocol is controlled. When the control according to the above is completed, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the control according to the first protocol is executed again.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined part of a subject to which a contrast agent bubble is administered with an ultrasonic wave, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the subject, An ultrasonic probe for receiving an echo signal based on the ultrasonic wave, a drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe, and an electrical phenomenon of the heart of the subject An electrocardiogram generating means for generating an electrocardiogram signal on the basis of the R wave of the electrocardiogram signal of one heartbeat phase of the subject as a trigger, and the end-systolic phase of the heart of the subject in the heartbeat phase Control means for controlling the drive signal generation means based on the electrical signal, image generation means for generating an ultrasound image based on the echo signal, and a first heart of the subject. A first ultrasound image based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in a phase as a trigger, and a first ultrasonic image based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in a second heartbeat phase different from the first heartbeat phase as a trigger. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display unit that simultaneously displays two ultrasonic images.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined portion of a subject to which a contrast agent bubble has been administered with an ultrasonic wave, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the subject, An ultrasonic probe for receiving an echo signal based on the ultrasonic wave, a drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe, and an electrical phenomenon of the heart of the subject An electrocardiogram signal generating means for generating an electrocardiogram signal based on the electrocardiogram signal generation means, and the generation of the drive signal is triggered by an R wave of the electrocardiogram signal of one heartbeat phase of the subject, and the contraction of the heart of the subject in the heartbeat phase Control means for controlling the drive signal generation means based on the electrical signal, image generation means for generating an ultrasound image based on the echo signal, and a first of the subject so as to synchronize with the terminal stage A first ultrasonic image based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in a heartbeat phase as a trigger, and a motion based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in a plurality of heartbeat phases different from the first heartbeat phase as a trigger. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising display means for simultaneously displaying a typical ultrasonic image.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the FEI mode in which the flash scan is performed according to a predetermined protocol, the flash scan is simply executed at an arbitrary timing, and it is appropriately determined whether the high-intensity region is a tissue or a contrast-affected region. It is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be used.

  Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary. In the following description, ultrasonic scanning with a high sound pressure for collapsing the contrast agent bubble is referred to as a flash scan, and it is a sound pressure that does not break the contrast agent bubble and images reperfusion of the blood flow. Ultrasonic scanning with low sound pressure for this purpose is called monitoring scanning.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment 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 unit 13, a signal processing unit 15, an image generation unit 17, a host CPU 19, a storage unit 21, a protocol memory 23, an input device 24, The input device 24 includes a protocol setting UI 25, a protocol start button 26, a monitor 29, and an ECG 30.

  The ultrasonic probe 11 generates an ultrasonic wave based on a drive signal from a pulser and converts a reflected wave from a subject into an electric signal, a matching layer provided in the piezoelectric vibrator, and the piezoelectric vibration. It has a backing material that prevents the propagation of ultrasonic waves from the child to the rear. The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11 to the subject are successively reflected by discontinuous surfaces of acoustic impedance such as in-vivo tissue, blood flow, and contrast agent bubbles, and are received by the ultrasonic probe 12 as echo signals. .

  In the FEI, the transmission / reception unit 13 generates two types of drive pulses for generating a low sound pressure ultrasonic wave for monitoring scan and a drive pulse for generating a high sound pressure ultrasonic wave for flash scan. In order to realize two types of ultrasonic transmission for monitoring scanning and for flash scanning, the transmission / reception unit 13 includes a rate pulse generation circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulser circuit (not shown) corresponding to each transmission. ing. In the rate pulse generation circuit, a rate pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave is repeatedly generated at a predetermined rate frequency fr Hz (cycle: 1 / fr second). In the delay circuit, each rate pulse is given a delay time T necessary for focusing the ultrasonic wave into a beam and determining the transmission directivity for each channel. The pulsar circuit generates a drive pulse obtained by amplifying the rate pulse to a predetermined drive voltage, and applies the drive pulse to the probe 11 at a timing based on a given delay time.

  The drive pulses for generating the ultrasonic waves for monitoring scan and flash scan are generated by using the R wave detected by the ECG 30 as a trigger and the delay time T in accordance with the end systole of the heart. Further, it is assumed that ultrasonic transmission for flash scanning corresponding to the interrupt protocol described later is executed for a plurality of frames in the delay time T.

  Further, in response to the operation of the protocol start button 26, the transmission / reception unit 13 generates a driving pulse for flash scanning at an arbitrary timing (ie, heartbeat phase). That is, in response to control from the host CPU 19 based on an instruction from the protocol start button 26, the transmission / reception unit 13 switches the transmission system from monitoring scan to flash scan and generates a drive pulse for generating high sound pressure ultrasonic waves. Is applied to the ultrasonic probe 11.

  Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 13 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, an adder, and the like which are not shown. The amplifier circuit amplifies the echo signal captured via the probe 11 for each channel. In the A / D converter, a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity is given to the amplified echo signal, and then an addition process is performed in the adder. By this addition, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the echo signal is emphasized, and a comprehensive beam for ultrasonic transmission / reception is formed by the reception directivity and the transmission directivity.

  The signal processing unit 15 has a B-mode processing system and a Doppler processing system. In the B-mode processing system, logarithmic amplification or the like is performed on the received signal received from the transmission / reception unit 13. The amplified signal is sent to the image generation unit 17 and is displayed in color on the monitor 29 as a B-mode image in which the intensity of the reflected wave is expressed by luminance. In the Doppler processing system, blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect are extracted, and blood flow information such as average velocity, dispersion, and power is obtained at multiple points. The blood flow information is sent to the image generation unit 17, and is displayed in color on the monitor 29 as an average velocity image, a dispersion image, a power image, and a combination image thereof.

  The image generation unit 17 converts the scanning line signal sequence of the ultrasonic scan input from the signal processing unit 15 into orthogonal coordinate system data based on spatial information, and further performs video format conversion. Further, the image generation unit 17 performs control for statically displaying a pre-flash image described later on the monitor 29 simultaneously with the real-time image.

  The host CPU 19 has a function as an information processing apparatus (computer) and is a control means for controlling the operation of the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The host CPU 19 reads out a control program for executing processing based on the FEI and the interrupt protocol from the storage unit 21 and develops it on a temporary storage memory (not shown), and executes arithmetic / control related to various processing.

  The storage unit 21 stores image data, a base protocol for executing a preprogrammed FEI scan sequence, diagnostic information (patient ID, doctor's findings, etc.), diagnostic protocol, transmission / reception conditions, and other data groups. The data in the storage unit 21 or the data in the protocol memory 23 can be transferred to an external peripheral device via an interface circuit (not shown).

  The protocol memory 23 stores various interrupt protocols for executing interrupt processing at an arbitrary timing with respect to the currently executed base protocol. The interrupt protocol in the protocol memory 23 can be newly set (registered) by a predetermined operation from the protocol setting UI 25.

  The input device 24 is a UI for incorporating various instructions / commands / information from the operator into the device 10, a region of interest (ROI) setting (mouse, trackball, mode changeover switch, keyboard, etc.) UI, etc. Is provided.

  The protocol setting UI 25 is a user interface for setting / editing an interrupt protocol.

  The protocol start button 26 is a plurality of buttons as shown in FIG. 2 assigned to each protocol stored in the protocol memory 23. By operating the protocol start button 26 at an arbitrary timing, the interrupt protocol corresponding to the button is executed at an arbitrary timing as an interrupt process for the currently executed base protocol.

  The monitor 29 displays in vivo morphological information and blood flow information as an image based on the video signal from the image generation unit 17. When a contrast medium is used, the contrast medium is displayed as a luminance image or a color image based on the quantitative distribution of the contrast medium, that is, the blood flow or the area where blood is present.

  An ECG (ElectroCardGram) 30 generates an electrical signal based on the electrical phenomenon of the heart of the subject, and graphs the time change of the waveform. This electric signal waveform has peaks designated as P, Q, R, S, T, and U. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, an ultrasonic transmission is triggered in response to the electrical signal (R wave) at the peak R.

(FEI: Flash Echo Imaging)
Next, FEI will be described. This FEI is performed in contrast echo imaging using a contrast agent, and the contrast agent used is a conventional contrast agent for collecting nonlinear echo signals by collapsing and eliminating bubbles, or a bubble. Any of the next-generation type contrast agents that generate a strong nonlinear echo signal without decaying or disappearing may be used.

  For example, in the case of the FEI using the former conventional contrast agent, as shown in FIG. 3, the contrast agent inflow state to the diagnosis site is monitored by the monitoring scan while synchronizing with the ECG, and the contrast agent is super Ultrasonic transmission for acquiring a nonlinear echo signal (harmonic) by collapsing and disappearing microbubbles by flash scanning at a timing when the acoustic wave scanning surface is filled is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, in the case of FEI using the latter next-generation contrast agent, a low sound pressure scan is executed by triggering at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with ECG, and ultrasonic transmission for acquiring a nonlinear echo signal is repeated. Execute. The trigger is applied in the low sound pressure scan of the FEI using the next generation type contrast agent in order to control the cardiac phase during the scan, and the contrast agent is compared with the high sound pressure scan by the previous low sound pressure scan. This is to compensate for this, although it has been destroyed and disappeared to some extent.

  In the following, for the sake of concreteness, FEI using a conventional contrast agent will be described as an example. However, the FEI method using any contrast agent is similar in that it is executed according to a pre-programmed base protocol as shown in FIG.

(Protocol interrupt function)
Next, the protocol interrupt function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows a scan sequence diagram including a protocol interrupt based on the protocol interrupt function, an ECG waveform diagram, and the like. The arrow in the figure shows a scan for one frame. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the protocol interrupt function.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is assumed that normal FEI is executed according to the base protocol. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the operator can observe the state of myocardial staining with the contrast agent as time passes.

Here, for example, a high luminance region that at time t ₂ is whether a tissue, or the determination whether a opacification been blood flow as it becomes difficult to the contrast agent. In this case, the operator operates the protocol start button 26a corresponding to “execute slash scan” at a desired timing (t _{3 in} FIG. 5).

  In response to this operation, the host CPU 19 controls the transmission / reception unit 13 to switch the transmission system from the current monitoring scan to the slash scan, and applies a driving pulse for generating high sound pressure ultrasonic waves to the probe 11. . FIG. 5 shows an example in which a flash scan for three frames is executed.

The ultrasonic probe 11 transmits high sound pressure ultrasonic waves for destroying the contrast agent to the subject based on the applied drive pulse. The contrast agent is destroyed by the high sound pressure ultrasonic waves as shown in FIG. 5 (time t _{4 to} time t ₆ ). Therefore, for example, an ultrasonic image obtained by ultrasonic transmission at time t ₇ is an image that is not stained with a contrast agent (in this case, a myocardial tissue image). Therefore, the high luminance region which is observed at time t ₂ it is seen that was due tissues. Further, the operator can observe the inflow state of the contrast agent again from time t ₇ until, for example, time t ₈ .

In FIG. 5, the high sound pressure ultrasonic wave for destroying the contrast agent starts at time t4 after a while has elapsed from time t3 when the protocol start button 26a is operated. However, this time lapse is not essential, and transmission of the high sound pressure ultrasonic wave for destroying the contrast agent is set at an arbitrary timing after the operation of the protocol start button 26a, for example, immediately after the operation of the protocol start button 26a (i.e., time t ₃ may be configured to run immediately after).

  In the FEI according to the subsequent base protocol, if it is desired to destroy the contrast agent again at an arbitrary timing, the same operation may be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the slash scan execution in response to the operation of the protocol start button 26a can be regarded as an interruption of a new protocol (or an operation mode corresponding to the base protocol) from the viewpoint of operation control. it can. In the above example, the flash scan assigned to the protocol start button 26a is executed as the interrupt process as the interrupt protocol. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other processing may be assigned to the protocol start buttons 26b, 26c and the like, and may be executed at an arbitrary timing by operating them. Examples of other processes include a process of executing a flash scan a plurality of times at a predetermined time interval, a process of executing a fresh scan having a different number of frames from the protocol start button 26a, and the like.

  Note that the progress of the interrupt protocol is preferably displayed by, for example, a tax bar. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the current process is an interrupt process.

  As described above, this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can execute another interrupt protocol at an arbitrary timing during execution of the FEI base protocol. Therefore, by using the flash scan execution protocol as the interrupt protocol, it is possible to easily and quickly destroy the contrast agent bubble existing in the imaging region at an arbitrary timing. As a result, the operator can observe the situation (reperfusion situation) from the start of inflow of the contrast agent to the staining at a desired timing, and determine whether the high-intensity region is a tissue or a contrast agent. It can be judged easily and quickly.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus also has a protocol start button to which an instruction to execute an interrupt protocol is assigned. Therefore, the operator can simply and quickly instruct the execution of the flash scan simply by operating the protocol start button 26a.

(Display function)
Next, the display function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 will be described. By the flash scan by the interrupt process, the operator can control the contrast agent inflow start timing to the target site at an arbitrary timing. This function is for effectively observing the contrast agent inflow situation based on the timing control, and simultaneously displays a plurality of images collected by different protocols.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pre-flash image A (still image) and a real-time image B (moving image) currently being captured that are displayed on the monitor 29 by this display function. Here, the pre-flash image is an image corresponding to a frame collected immediately before the most recent flash scan, preferably an image that is stained by a contrast agent, in the previous stage of the flash scan executed in the past. Means. In the present apparatus 10, it is possible to arbitrarily set which frame image is the pre-flash image.

  With this display mode, when the above-described flash scan is executed as an interrupt process, the contrast agent inflow situation can be observed as follows. That is, first, the pre-flash image A and the real-time image B currently being captured are displayed on the monitor 29. At this time, if the contrast agent is flowing into the imaging region, the real-time image B is a dyed image reflecting the inflow.

  Next, the operator operates the protocol start button 26a at a desired timing, and executes a flash scan as an interrupt process. The contrast agent is destroyed by this scan, and the real-time image B becomes an image displaying only the tissue. Thereafter, the real-time image B is imaged according to the inflow of the contrast agent with the passage of time, gradually approaches the pre-flash image A that is displayed at the same time, and finally dyed in the same manner as the pre-flash image A. It becomes an image.

  That is, the operator initializes the contrast state of the real-time image B at an arbitrary timing by operating the protocol start button 26a, and changes until the real-time image B is contrasted like the pre-flash image A. Both images can be confirmed while observing at the same time. Therefore, the operator can always compare and observe the real-time image B and the pre-flash image A, and easily determine whether the region contrasted in the pre-flash image A is a tissue or a contrast agent. Can be judged.

  Other display forms are possible for this display function. FIG. 8 shows a modification of the display form realized by this display function, and shows a pre-flash image A, a real-time image B, and a post-flash image C (still image) simultaneously displayed on the monitor 29. Here, the post-flash image is an image corresponding to a frame collected immediately after the flash scan executed in the past, preferably immediately after the most recent flash scan, and does not include a contrast medium. (Tissue image). In the present apparatus 10, it is possible to arbitrarily set which frame image is used as the flash-stage image.

  With the display form shown in FIG. 8, when the above-described flash scan is executed as an interrupt process, the contrast agent inflow situation can be observed as follows. That is, first, the pre-flash image A and the post-flash image C and the real-time image B currently being photographed are displayed on the monitor 29.

  Next, the operator operates the protocol start button 26a at a desired timing, and executes a flash scan as an interrupt process. The contrast agent is destroyed by this scan, and the real-time image B becomes an image that displays only the tissue, like the post-flash image C. Thereafter, the real-time image B is imaged in accordance with the inflow of the contrast medium as time passes, gradually approaches the pre-flash image A that is displayed at the same time, and finally is imaged in the same manner as the pre-flash image A. Become an image.

  That is, after initializing the contrast state of the real-time image B by operating the protocol start button 26a, the post-flash image C is in the first state of the real-time image B, and the pre-flash image A is in the last state of the real-time image B. It corresponds. Therefore, the operator can always compare and observe the post-flash image C representing the initial state of the contrast agent inflow, the real-time image B representing the intermediate state as a moving image, and the pre-flash image A representing the final state. It can be easily determined whether the region being imaged in the previous image A is a tissue or a contrast agent.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment has a driving pulse for generating low sound pressure ultrasonic waves for monitoring scan by one transmission system in the transmission / reception unit 13, And generation of drive pulses for generating high sound pressure ultrasonic waves for flash scanning.

  That is, for example, when the protocol start button 26a is operated during low sound pressure ultrasonic transmission for monitoring scan, the transmission / reception unit 13 monitors the rate pulse amplification factor in the pulsar circuit based on the control of the host CPU 19. Switch from scanning to flash scanning. In response to this switching, the pulser circuit generates a drive pulse obtained by amplifying the rate pulse to a high voltage for flash scan, and applies the drive pulse to the probe 11 at a timing based on a given delay time.

  In addition, when the flash scan as the interrupt process is completed, the transmission / reception unit 13 switches the rate pulse amplification factor in the pulser circuit from the flash scan to the monitoring scan based on the control of the host CPU 19. The pulsar circuit generates a drive pulse obtained by amplifying the rate pulse to a low voltage for monitoring scan, and applies the drive pulse to the probe 11 at a timing based on a given delay time.

  According to such a configuration, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size and the price of the apparatus by using a single transmission system. Further, the operation control can be simplified as compared with the case where there are two transmission systems.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the FEI mode in which the flash scan is performed according to a predetermined protocol, the flash scan is simply executed at an arbitrary timing, and it is appropriately determined whether the high-intensity region is a tissue or a contrast-affected region. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing the above can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the protocol start button 26. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a scan sequence in FEI. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a protocol for executing FEI. FIG. 5 shows a scan sequence diagram including a protocol interrupt based on the protocol interrupt function, an ECG waveform diagram, and the like. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the protocol interrupt function. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pre-flash image A (still image) and a real-time image B (moving image) currently being captured displayed on the monitor 29 by the display function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 8 shows a pre-flash image A (still image), a real-time image B (moving image), and a post-flash image C (still image) simultaneously displayed on the monitor 29 by the display function of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. . FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining FEI. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the FEI.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 11 ... Ultrasonic probe, 13 ... Transmission / reception part, 15 ... Signal processing part, 17 ... Image generation part, 19 ... Host CPU, 21 ... Memory | storage part, 23 ... Protocol memory, 24 ... Input device, 25 ... Protocol setting UI, 26a, 26b, 26c ... Protocol start button, 27 ... Input device, 29 ... Monitor

Claims (9)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined portion of a subject to which a contrast medium bubble is administered with an ultrasonic wave,
An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives an echo signal based on the ultrasonic waves;
A drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
Image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal;
Display means for displaying the ultrasonic image;
Control means for controlling each of the drive signal generation means, the image generation means, and the display means according to a first protocol;
Instruction means for instructing control according to a second protocol relating to a predetermined interrupt operation;
Comprising
The control means stops the control according to the first protocol when the instruction means is operated during the control according to the first protocol, and the drive signal generation means according to the second protocol, Controlling each of the image generating means and the display means, and when the control according to the second protocol is completed, executing the control according to the first protocol again;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above.   The super controller according to claim 1, wherein, when the control according to the second protocol is completed, the control means executes the control according to the first protocol from the time when the first protocol is stopped. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The first protocol is:
The drive signal generating means is configured to provide a drive signal for the first ultrasonic transmission by a first sound pressure that causes the contrast agent bubble to collapse, and a sound pressure that does not break the contrast agent bubble and a blood flow recirculation. A driving signal for transmitting a second ultrasonic wave by a second sound pressure for imaging, and repeatedly generating each with a predetermined period,
Causing the image generation means to generate an ultrasonic image based on an echo signal generated by the second ultrasonic transmission;
Displaying the ultrasonic image on the display means;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The display means statically displays a first ultrasonic image based on an echo signal from the second ultrasonic transmission immediately before the first ultrasonic transmission, an echo signal based on the first ultrasonic transmission, or the 4. The ultrasound according to claim 3, wherein a second ultrasound image based on at least one of echo signals obtained by the second ultrasound transmission after the first ultrasound transmission is dynamically displayed simultaneously in real time. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The display means statically displays a first ultrasonic image based on an echo signal from the second ultrasonic transmission immediately before the first ultrasonic transmission, an echo signal based on the first ultrasonic transmission, or the A second ultrasonic image based on at least one of echo signals generated by the second ultrasonic transmission after the first ultrasonic transmission is dynamically obtained in real time, and the second ultrasonic image immediately after the first ultrasonic transmission is transmitted. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third ultrasonic image based on the echo signal by the sound wave transmission is statically and simultaneously displayed. When taking an image of the subject's heart,
The ultrasound according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of the first ultrasound transmission and the second ultrasound transmission is synchronized with a heartbeat of the subject. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. When taking an image of the subject's heart,
The second ultrasonic transmission is triggered by an R wave of an electrocardiogram signal relating to each of a plurality of heartbeat phases of the subject, and is synchronized with the end systole of the heart of the subject,
The first ultrasonic transmission is executed for a plurality of frames from the generation of the R wave to the end systole of the heart;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined portion of a subject to which a contrast medium bubble is administered with an ultrasonic wave,
An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives an echo signal based on the ultrasonic waves;
A drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
An electrocardiogram generating means for generating an electrocardiogram signal based on an electrical phenomenon of the heart of the subject;
Based on the electrical signal, the generation of the driving signal is triggered by an R wave of the electrocardiogram signal of one heartbeat phase of the subject and is synchronized with the end systole of the heart of the subject in the heartbeat phase. Control means for controlling the drive signal generating means;
Image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal;
A first ultrasound image based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in the first heartbeat phase of the subject as a trigger, and an R wave in a second heartbeat phase different from the first heartbeat phase as a trigger Display means for simultaneously displaying a second ultrasonic image based on the acquired echo signal;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic image by scanning a predetermined portion of a subject to which a contrast medium bubble is administered with an ultrasonic wave,
An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives an echo signal based on the ultrasonic waves;
A drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and applying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
An electrocardiogram signal generating means for generating an electrocardiogram signal based on an electrical phenomenon of the subject's heart;
Based on the electrical signal, the generation of the driving signal is triggered by an R wave of the electrocardiogram signal of one heartbeat phase of the subject and is synchronized with the end systole of the heart of the subject in the heartbeat phase. Control means for controlling the drive signal generating means;
Image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal;
A first ultrasonic image based on an echo signal acquired using an R wave in the first heartbeat phase of the subject as a trigger, and an R wave in a plurality of heartbeat phases different from the first heartbeat phase are used as a trigger. Display means for simultaneously displaying a dynamic ultrasound image based on the echo signal generated;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

Images