JP2006149702A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and method for displaying ultrasonic image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently carry out diagnosis by improving the quality of an image in the case of displaying a stereoscopic image and a plane image simultaneously in real time. <P>SOLUTION: A first echo signal E1 is obtained by carrying out first scanning S1 so as to simultaneously receive ultrasonic waves reflected as the result of being transmitted to the first area A1 of a patient by a plurality of number of first received sound rays R1 per one sound ray of ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first area A1. Then, a second echo signal E2 is obtained by carrying out second scanning S2 so as to simultaneously receive ultrasonic waves reflected as the result of being transmitted to a second area A2 included in the first area A1 of the patient simultaneously by the number of second received sound rays T2 smaller than the number of first received sound rays T1 per one sound ray of ultrasonic waves transmitted to the second area A2. Thereafter, so as to be in real time, the stereoscopic image P1 of the first area A1 is generated based on the first echo signal E1, and the plane image P2 of the second area A2 is generated based on the second echo signal E2 and displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display method.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave to the subject, generates an image of the tomography of the subject based on an echo signal obtained by the ultrasound reflected and received from the subject, and the image of the tomography Is displayed on the screen. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has various imaging modes such as a B mode, a CFM (Color Flow Mapping) mode, and a PWD (Pulse Wave Doppler) mode. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are particularly important in medical fields such as fetal screening and cardiac screening because they can generate and display images in real time.

In order to make the diagnostic region clearly observable, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, displays both a three-dimensional stereoscopic image and a two-dimensional planar image showing the inside of the stereoscopic image in real time in the B mode. Display them side by side. Here, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to a three-dimensional region in the subject, and a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is generated based on an echo signal obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the region. Then, a two-dimensional planar image is also generated using the echo signal used when generating the three-dimensional stereoscopic image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, for example, ultrasonic waves reflected from the subject are simultaneously received so as to obtain an echo signal so that the number of received sound rays is a plurality of sound rays per ultrasonic ray transmitted to the subject. As a result, the scan time for receiving the echo signal can be shortened, and a stereoscopic image can be generated and displayed in real time (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-325512 A JP-A-10-118063

  However, here, since a planar image is generated based on an echo signal acquired with emphasis on real-time properties for generating a stereoscopic image, the planar image has a low resolution and is sufficient for diagnosis. There were times when it was not quality. For this reason, it may be difficult to diagnose efficiently.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display capable of improving an image quality and efficiently diagnosing when both a stereoscopic image and a planar image thereof are simultaneously displayed in real time. It is to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention transmits ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transducer arranged in an ultrasonic probe to a subject, and reflects the ultrasonic waves reflected from the subject. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating and displaying an image of the subject based on an echo signal obtained by receiving with an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic device displays a first region of the subject from the ultrasonic transducer. A first scan for transmitting the ultrasonic waves and reflecting the ultrasonic waves reflected from the first area simultaneously with a first number of received sound rays per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first area; The first ultrasonic signal is acquired to be transmitted, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to the second region included in the first region of the subject and reflected from the second region. Is transmitted to the second area. A transmission / reception unit that acquires a second echo signal by performing a second scan that is simultaneously received with a second number of received sound rays that is smaller than the first number of received sound rays per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave; Based on the first echo signal, a three-dimensional first image of the first region is generated based on the first echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the first scan by the transmission / reception unit, and the second scan by the transmission / reception unit An image generation unit that generates a two-dimensional second image of the second region based on the second echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the implementation of the first, and the first image generated by the image generation unit And a display unit that displays the second image side by side in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan and the second scan by the transmission / reception unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic image display method of the present invention transmits ultrasonic waves transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer arranged in an ultrasonic probe to a subject and reflected from the subject. An ultrasonic image display method for generating and displaying an image of the subject based on an echo signal received by a child, wherein the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to a first region of the subject And performing a first scan for simultaneously receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the first area at a first received sound ray number per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the first area. Acquiring an echo signal, transmitting the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer to a second region included in the first region of the subject, and reflecting the ultrasonic wave reflected from the second region to the second region One sound of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the area The first step of acquiring a second echo signal by performing a second scan that is simultaneously received with a second number of received sound rays that is smaller than the first number of received sound rays, and the first step in the first step A three-dimensional first image of the first region is generated based on the first echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the scan, and for the execution of the second scan in the first step. A second step of generating a two-dimensional second image of the second region based on the second echo signal so as to be in real time, the first image generated by the second step, and the first And a third step of displaying two images side by side in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan and the second scan in the first step. .

  According to the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display method capable of improving image quality and efficiently diagnosing both a stereoscopic image and a planar image thereof simultaneously in real time are provided. Can be provided.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasound probe 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, an image generation unit 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 121, a control unit 301, and an operation unit 302. Have The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits ultrasound to the subject from the ultrasound transducer 11a of the ultrasound probe 11 in which a plurality of ultrasound transducers 11a are arranged. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 obtains an echo signal by receiving the ultrasound reflected from the subject by the ultrasound transducer 11a. Then, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 generates an image of the tomography of the subject based on the echo signal, and then displays the image.

  Each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described sequentially.

  The ultrasonic probe 11 is formed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 11a evenly in a matrix. The ultrasonic transducer 11a is made of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) ceramics, converts an electric signal into a sound wave, transmits the sound wave, and converts the received sound wave into an electric signal. The ultrasonic probe 11 is used by bringing the surface on which the ultrasonic transducer 11a is formed into contact with the surface of the subject. The ultrasonic probe 11 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 11a into the subject based on a drive signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 12 according to a command from the control unit 301. And the ultrasonic wave reflected from the inside of the subject to which the ultrasonic wave was transmitted is received, and an echo signal is output.

  The transmission / reception unit 12 is configured to include a transmission / reception circuit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The transmission / reception unit 12 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 11, and transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 11 a of the ultrasonic probe 11 to the subject based on a command from the control unit 301, and reflects from the subject. The received ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic transducer 11a to obtain an echo signal. For example, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs scanning by an electronic convex scanning method. Then, the transmission / reception unit 12 outputs the generated echo signal to the image generation unit 13. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 12 sequentially switches the ultrasonic transducer 11a of the ultrasonic probe 11 so as to move and scan the ultrasonic beam to receive the ultrasonic wave, and the received ultrasonic wave The resulting data is subjected to processing such as amplification, delay, and addition to generate an echo signal, which is output to the image generation unit 13.

  In this embodiment, although detailed operations will be described later, the transmitter / receiver 12 scans the subject so that both the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 alternate. Conduct multiple times.

  In the implementation of the first scan S1, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 11a to the first region A1 of the subject. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the first area A1 that is a three-dimensional area. Here, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the ultrasonic waves to the first region A1 simultaneously with the first transmission sound ray number T1. The transmitter / receiver 12 simultaneously receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the first area A1 with the first received sound ray number R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first area A1, An echo signal E1 is acquired.

  On the other hand, in the execution of the second scan S2, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 11a to the second region A2 included in the first region A1 of the subject. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the second region A2 that is a two-dimensional region. Here, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves simultaneously to the second region A2 with the second transmission sound ray number T2 that is smaller than the first transmission sound ray number T1 in the first scan S1. Then, the transmission / reception unit 12 receives the ultrasonic wave reflected from the second area A2 and receives a smaller number of received sound rays R2 than the first received sound ray number R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the second area A2. At the same time to obtain a second echo signal.

  In this example, the transmission / reception unit 12 matches the first scan S1 and the first scan S1 so that the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 is the same as the second scan time t2 assigned in the second scan S2. Each of the two scans S2 is alternately performed a plurality of times. Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 12 sets the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 and the second scan time t2 assigned in the second scan S2 based on the condition adjusted to be the same. Two scans S2 are performed.

  The image generation unit 13 generates an image of the subject based on the echo signal obtained by the transmission / reception unit 12. The image generation unit 13 includes, for example, a computer and a program. Based on a command from the control unit 301, the image generation unit 13 performs image processing on an echo signal from the transmission / reception unit 12, and generates an image of the tomographic plane of the subject. Generated for each frame in sequence order. Specifically, the image generation unit 13 detects the envelope after logarithmically amplifying the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12, and generates, for example, an image in the B mode for each frame. The image generation unit 13 is connected to the storage unit 14 and sequentially outputs the frame images generated as described above to the storage unit 14. For example, the image generation unit 13 generates an image of the fetal head based on an echo signal obtained by scanning the fetal head in the abdomen of the pregnant woman using the ultrasonic probe 11, and the storage unit 14. An image of the navel fetal head is output and stored.

  In the present embodiment, the image generation unit 13 displays a three-dimensional image P1 three-dimensionally showing the tomography of the first region A1 of the subject so that the first scan S1 is performed by the transmission / reception unit 12 in real time. And generated based on the first echo signal E1. Specifically, a plurality of two-dimensional images are generated based on the first echo signal E1 for multiple sections. Then, after constructing volume data from the two-dimensional image, a rendering process is performed to generate a three-dimensional stereoscopic image P1. Further, the image generation unit 13 two-dimensionally shows the tomography of the second region A2 of the subject so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12 together with the stereoscopic image P1. A planar image P2 is generated based on the second echo signal. Here, since the image generation unit 13 performs the transmission / reception unit 12 a plurality of times such that the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 are alternately performed, the plurality of images acquired by each of the first scans S1. The stereoscopic image P1 is generated based on the first echo signal E1, and the planar image P2 is generated based on the plurality of second echo signals acquired by each of the second scans S2.

  The storage unit 14 is configured to include, for example, a cine memory and an HDD, and stores the image generated by the image generation unit 13. The storage unit 14 is connected to the image generation unit 13, and based on an instruction from the control unit 301, temporarily stores a plurality of frames of images generated by the image generation unit 13 in a cine memory, and then outputs them to the HDD. And remember. For example, the storage unit 14 stores an image of a frame corresponding to a moving image for 2 minutes in a cine memory, and outputs and stores an image of a frame for the moving image for 2 minutes to the HDD. The cine memory of the storage unit 14 is connected to the display unit 121, and the frames of the moving images stored in the cine memory are sequentially displayed in real time by the display unit 121. Similarly, the HDD of the storage unit 14 is also connected to the display unit 121, and displays image data of an image that is a frame of a moving image stored in the HDD based on a command input to the operation unit 302 by the operator. The image is output to the unit 121, and the display unit 121 displays the image.

  The display unit 121 acquires the image generated by the image generation unit 13 from the storage unit 14 and displays it. The display unit 121 includes, for example, a graphic display and a DSC (Digital Scan Converter). The display unit 121 is connected to the storage unit 14, converts an image stored in the cine memory of the storage unit 14 into a display signal by DSC based on a command from the control unit 301, and displays an image on the display screen of the graphic display. The image generated by the generation unit 13 is displayed in real time. In the present embodiment, the display unit 121 displays the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 generated by the image generation unit 13 in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12. Display them side by side. The display unit 121 is connected to the HDD of the storage unit 14 and receives image data of an image that is a frame of a moving image stored in the HDD based on a command input to the operation unit 302 by an operator. The image is displayed on the screen. For example, the display unit 121 acquires a tomographic image of the fetal head in the abdomen of the pregnant woman from the storage unit 14 and displays the image on the screen.

  The control part 301 is comprised by the computer and the program, for example, and is connected to each part, respectively. The control unit 301 gives a control signal to each unit based on the operation signal from the operation unit 302 and controls the operation.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the transmission / reception unit 12 scans the subject, the control unit 301 alternately performs both the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 a plurality of times. Control.

  Here, in the execution of the first scan S1, in the control unit 301, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves to the first area A1 at the same time with the first transmission ray number T1, and is reflected from the first area A1. Control is performed so that the ultrasonic waves are simultaneously received by the first number of received sound rays R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first region A1, and the first echo signal E1 is acquired. Then, in the execution of the second scan S2, the control unit 301 causes the transmission / reception unit 12 to simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves with the second transmission sound ray number T2 that is smaller than the first transmission sound ray number T1 in the first scan S1. The number of received sound rays R2 less than the first received sound ray number R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the second region A2 and reflected from the second region A2 At the same time and control to acquire the second echo signal. Further, the control unit 301 adjusts the first scan time t1 allocated in the first scan S1 and the second scan time t2 allocated in the second scan S2 to be the same, and the first scan Control is performed so that the transmission / reception unit 12 performs S1 and the second scan S2.

  The operation unit 302 includes, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a track ball, a foot switch, and a voice input device. The operation unit 302 receives operation information from an operator, and outputs a command to the control unit 301 based on the operation information.

  Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. Further, the ultrasonic probe 11 of the present embodiment corresponds to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention. Moreover, the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 11a of this embodiment is corresponded to the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of this invention. The transmission / reception unit 12 of the present embodiment corresponds to the transmission / reception unit of the present invention. The image generation unit 13 of the present embodiment corresponds to the image generation unit of the present invention. Further, the display unit 121 of the present embodiment corresponds to the display unit of the present invention. In addition, the first region A1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first region of the present invention. Further, the first transmission sound ray number T1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first transmission sound ray number of the present invention. Further, the first received sound ray number R1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first received sound ray number of the present invention. Further, the first scan S1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first scan of the present invention. Further, the first echo signal E1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first echo signal of the present invention. Further, the second region A2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second region of the present invention. Further, the second transmission sound ray number T2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second transmission sound ray number of the present invention. Further, the second received sound ray number R2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second received sound ray number of the present invention. Further, the second scan S2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second scan of the present invention. The stereoscopic image P1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first image of the present invention. The planar image P2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second image of the present invention.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation until the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 scans the subject and displays an image of the subject in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, scan conditions are set (S10).

  Here, based on operation data input to the operation unit 302 by the operator, the control unit 301 sets scan conditions and outputs a control signal to each unit.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing scan conditions set in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis t indicates time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the control unit 302 sets the transmission / reception unit 12 so that the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 are alternately performed a plurality of times. Here, the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 are set so that the imaging region of the subject is divided into a plurality of regions and the divided regions are sequentially scanned.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating scan conditions for each of the first scan S1 and the second scan S2. In FIG. 4, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing scan conditions for the first scan S1. On the other hand, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing scan conditions for the second scan S2.

  In the first scan S1, the first area A1 that is a three-dimensional area of the subject is set to be scanned. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a predetermined depth is obtained from a plane matrix having a total number of pixels N1 of 128 pixels in the horizontal direction, N1a in the horizontal direction and 16 pixels in the vertical direction, and 16 pixels in the vertical direction. The control unit 302 sets the transmission / reception unit 12 to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the first region A1 of the subject defined by the distance Z1. Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves of four sound rays T11, T12, T13, and T14 as the first transmission sound ray number T1 to different parts of the first region A1. The control unit 302 sets so as to transmit to each simultaneously. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, as the first received sound ray number R1, four sound rays R11, R12, R13, R14 from one sound ray T11 transmitted to the first region A1 are The control unit 302 sets so that the transmission / reception unit 12 receives simultaneously at each position corresponding to a different pixel. That is, for each of the transmitted four sound rays T11, T12, T13, and T14, the four sound rays R11, R12, R13, and R14 are set to be received, and a total of 16 sound ray numbers of ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received. 12 sets the control unit 301 to receive simultaneously and generate the first echo signal E1. In this case, a plurality of reception positions are set around the transmission position where one sound ray is transmitted so that they are equally spaced from each other, and ultrasonic waves for the sound rays from the plurality of reception positions are respectively received. To do.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the second scan S2 based on the condition adjusted so that the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 and the second scan time t2 assigned in the second scan S2 are the same. Is set by the control unit 302.

  Specifically, the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 as shown on the left side of the following formula (1) and the second scan time 2 assigned in the second scan S2 as shown on the right side of the formula (1). The control unit 301 controls the transmission / reception unit 12 by adjusting the scan condition of the second scan S2 so that the scan time t2 becomes the same. In Equation (1), N1 is the total number of pixels in the planar matrix in the first scan S1, Z1 is the depth scanned in the first scan S1, and the ultrasonic probe 11 is connected to the subject. It is the distance from the contact surface which contacts. T1 and R1 respectively correspond to the first transmission sound ray number transmitted simultaneously to the first region A1 and one ultrasonic ray ray transmitted to the first region A1 in the first scan S1. On the other hand, the first reception sound ray number received simultaneously is shown. N2 is the total number of pixels of the linear matrix in the second scan S2. Z2 is the depth scanned in the second scan S2, and is the distance from the contact surface where the ultrasonic probe 11 contacts the subject. In addition, T2 and R2 respectively represent the second transmission sound ray number transmitted simultaneously to the second region A2 and one ultrasonic ray ray transmitted to the second region A2 in the second scan S2. On the other hand, the second reception sound ray number received simultaneously is shown. C represents the speed of sound and is defined by 1.54 m / s.

  {(N1 · Z1) / (T1 · R1 · C) = {(N2 · Z2) / (T2 · R2 · C)} (1)

  For example, in the second scan S2, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, from the linear matrix included in the first imaging region A1 and having the total number of pixels N2 of 128 pixels, The control unit 302 transmits the ultrasonic wave to the second region A2 of the subject up to the depth distance Z2 in the second scan S2 defined in the same manner as the depth distance Z1. Set and control. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the control unit so that the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the ultrasonic wave of one sound ray T21 as the second transmission sound ray number T2 to the second region A2. 302 sets and controls. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, as the second received sound ray number R2, one sound ray R21 corresponding to one sound ray T21 transmitted to the second region A2 is the same as the transmission location. The control unit 302 sets so that the transmission / reception unit 12 receives at the position. That is, here, for one sound ray T21 transmitted, the control unit 301 sets the transmission / reception unit 12 to receive the ultrasonic wave of one sound ray R21 and generate the second echo signal E2. In this way, the second scan S2 is set so as to satisfy the above (1).

  Then, the control unit 301 causes the transmission / reception unit 12 to alternately perform the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 a plurality of times so as to correspond to all the pixels in the first region A1 and the second region A2. Set scan conditions. For example, the first region A1 is divided into 128 × 16 and the second region A2 is divided into 128 regions, and the first scan S1 for simultaneously receiving a total of 16 sound rays and one sound ray. The second scan S2 that receives only the number of ultrasonic waves is set to be sequentially executed for a total of 128 times so as to correspond to each region.

  Next, scanning is performed (S11).

  Here, the operator brings the ultrasonic transducer 11a of the ultrasonic probe 11 into contact with the subject, and the transmission unit 12 performs scanning. In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs both the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 alternately a plurality of times based on the scan conditions set as described above.

  In the implementation of the first scan S1, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves to the first region A1 of the subject so that the first transmission sound ray number T1 is simultaneous. The transmission / reception unit 12 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the first area A1, which is a three-dimensional area. Then, the transmitter / receiver 12 simultaneously receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the first area A1 at the first received sound ray number R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first area A1, An echo signal E1 is acquired.

  Specifically, as described above, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves to the first region A1 that is a three-dimensional region of the subject. The transmission / reception unit 12 transmits to each of the different parts of the first region A1 so that the first transmission sound ray number T1 of the four sound ray numbers is the same. And the transmission / reception part 12 turns into the 1st received sound ray number R1 of 4 sound ray numbers per 1 sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the 1st area | region A1 to the 1st area | region A1. To receive at the same time. That is, here, the transmission / reception unit 12 receives a total of 16 sound rays, and acquires the first echo signal E1.

  Further, in the execution of the second scan S2, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 11a to the second region A2 included in the first region A1 of the subject. Here, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the ultrasonic wave to the second region A2 so that the second transmission sound ray number T2 is smaller than the first transmission sound ray number T1 in the first scan S1. Then, the ultrasonic wave reflected from the second area A2 is transmitted / received at the reception sound ray number R2 which is smaller than the first reception sound ray number R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the second area A2. Are simultaneously received to obtain a second echo signal. Then, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the second scan based on the condition adjusted so that the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 and the second scan time t2 assigned in the second scan S2 are the same. S2 is performed.

  Specifically, as described above, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves to the second region A2 that is a two-dimensional region of the subject. For example, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the second transmission sound ray number T2 which is the number of one sound ray to the part of the second region A2. Then, the ultrasonic wave directly reflected from the part of the second area A2 becomes the second received sound ray number R2 of one sound ray per one sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the second region A2. To receive. That is, here, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the second scan S2 so that the transmission / reception unit 12 receives a total of one acoustic ray of ultrasonic waves and acquires the second echo signal E2.

  Then, as described above, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 alternately a plurality of times. For example, the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 are alternately performed 128 times, and sound rays corresponding to all the pixels in the first area A1 and the second area A2 are acquired. The transmission / reception unit 12 generates the first echo signal by the first scan, generates the second echo signal by the second scan, and sequentially generates the first echo signal and the second echo signal from the image generation unit. 13 is output.

  Next, an image is generated (S21).

  Here, the image generation unit 13 performs the first echo on the stereoscopic image P1 that is three-dimensionally shown about the tomography in the first region A1 of the subject so that the first scan S1 by the transmission / reception unit 12 is performed in real time. Generated based on the signal E1. Specifically, data collection is performed to generate a two-dimensional image of a multi-section, volume data is constructed from the two-dimensional image, and then a rendering process is performed to generate a three-dimensional stereoscopic image P1. For example, a surface rendering process is performed to generate a stereoscopic image P1 with a shadow on the surface. Then, together with the stereoscopic image P1, a plane image P2 two-dimensionally showing the tomography of the second region A2 of the subject is obtained in real time with respect to the execution of the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12 as an image generation unit. 13 is generated based on the second echo signal. In the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image P1 is based on the plurality of first echo signals E1 and the plurality of second echo signals acquired by each of the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 that are alternately performed a plurality of times. And the plane image P2 are respectively generated by the image generation unit 13. Then, the generated stereoscopic image P <b> 1 and planar image P <b> 2 are output to the storage unit 14.

  Next, an image is displayed (S31).

  Here, the display part 121 acquires the image produced | generated by the image generation part 13 from the memory | storage part 14, and displays it in real time.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the display unit 121 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the display unit 121 displays the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 generated by the image generation unit 13 side by side. For example, a stereoscopic image P1 that has been subjected to surfacing rendering processing and has a shadow on the surface, and a planar image P2 that shows a cross section inside the stereoscopic image P1 are displayed. In this case, the display unit 121 displays the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11a to the first area A1 of the subject, and ultrasonic waves reflected from the first area A1 are transmitted to the first area A1. The transmission / reception unit 12 performs the first scan S1 and acquires the first echo signal E1 so as to be simultaneously received by a plurality of first received sound ray numbers R1 per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave. Then, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11a to the second area A2 included in the first area A1 of the subject, and the ultrasonic wave reflected from the second area A2 is transmitted to the second area A2. The transmission / reception unit 12 performs the second scan S2 so that the second echo signal E2 is received so that the second reception sound ray number T2 is smaller than the first reception sound ray number T1 per sound ray. get. Thereafter, the image generation unit 13 generates a three-dimensional image P1 of the tomography in the first area A1 based on the first echo signal E1 in a three-dimensional manner so that the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the first scan S1 in real time. To do. At the same time, the image generation unit 13 generates a planar image P2 of the tomography of the second region A2 based on the second echo signal E2 so that it becomes real time with respect to the execution of the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12. Generate two-dimensionally. Then, the display unit 121 arranges the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 generated by the image generation unit 13 in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 by the transmission / reception unit 12. indicate. Thus, apart from the first echo signal E1 for forming the stereoscopic image P1, the second received sound ray number T2 is smaller than the first received sound ray number T1 at the time of obtaining the first echo signal E1. Based on the second echo signal E2 that can be received at the same time, the image generation unit 13 generates a planar image P2. That is, the image generation unit 13 generates the planar image P2 based on the second echo signal E2 obtained by the ultrasonic wave reflected from the position near the transmission position with less crosstalk than the first echo signal E1. For this reason, while generating and displaying the stereo image P1 in real time, the high-resolution plane image P2 can be displayed, and image quality can be improved. Therefore, this embodiment can implement a diagnosis efficiently.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the transmission / reception part 12 implements each several times so that 1st scan S1 and 2nd scan S2 may become alternate. Then, based on the plurality of first echo signals E1 acquired by each of the first scans S1, the image generation unit 13 generates a stereoscopic image P1. At the same time, the image generation unit 13 generates a planar image P2 based on the plurality of second echo signals E2 acquired by each of the second scans S2. Therefore, when the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 are generated and displayed, the time difference between the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2 is reduced, so that the stereoscopic image P1 and the second image P2 are more accurately represented. Can be generated and displayed in real time. Therefore, this embodiment can implement a diagnosis efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 12 causes the first scan S1 so that the first scan time t1 assigned in the first scan S1 and the second scan time t2 assigned in the second scan S2 are the same. And the second scan S2 are alternately performed a plurality of times. As described above, the first scan S1 and the first echo signal E1 and the second echo signal E2 necessary for generating the stereoscopic image P1 and the planar image P2, respectively, are divided and acquired alternately. The second scan S2 is performed. Thereby, the stereoscopic image P1 and the second image P2 are alternately generated and displayed in real time at the same timing. Therefore, this embodiment can generate and display the stereoscopic image P1 and the second image P2 more accurately in real time, and can efficiently perform diagnosis.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the transmission / reception part 12 implements 1st scan S1 so that an ultrasonic wave may be simultaneously transmitted to 1st area | region A1 by 1st transmission sound ray number T1. Along with this, the transmission / reception unit 12 performs the second scan S2 so that the ultrasonic waves are simultaneously transmitted to the second region A2 with the second transmission sound ray number T2 smaller than the first transmission sound ray number T1. . For this reason, the three-dimensional image P1 can be more accurately generated and displayed in real time, and diagnosis can be performed efficiently.

  In implementing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be employed.

  For example, when the first scan S1 and the second scan S2 are alternately performed, in addition to the above, the first scan for acquiring an echo signal corresponding to one frame of the first area A1, and the second area A2 The transmission / reception unit may perform a second scan for acquiring an echo signal corresponding to one frame.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation until the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus scans the subject and displays an image of the subject in the embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing scan conditions set in the embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing scan conditions for each of the first scan and the second scan in the embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit in the embodiment according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 ... Ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe)
11a ... ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic transducer)
12: Transmitter / receiver (transceiver)
13: Image generation unit (image generation unit)
14 ... Storage unit 121 ... Display unit (display unit)
301 ... Control unit 302 ... Operation unit A1 ... First region (first region)
T1... First transmission sound ray number (first transmission sound ray number)
R1... First received sound ray number (first received sound ray number)
S1 ... 1st scan (1st scan)
E1 ... 1st echo signal (1st echo signal)
A2 ... 2nd area | region (2nd area | region)
T2: Second transmission sound ray number (second transmission sound ray number)
R2: Second received sound ray number (second received sound ray number)
S2 ... Second scan (second scan)
P1 ... Stereoscopic image (first image)
P2: Plane image (second image)

Claims (10)

Based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic transducer arranged in an ultrasonic probe to a subject and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject by the ultrasonic transducer, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating and displaying an image of the subject,
The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to the first region of the subject and reflected from the first region are changed for each sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first region. A first scan that is received simultaneously with the number of received sound rays of 1 is performed to obtain a first echo signal, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to a second region included in the first region of the subject. The ultrasonic waves reflected from the second region are transmitted at a second received sound ray number less than the first received sound ray number per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the second region. A transmission / reception unit that performs a second scan that is received simultaneously to acquire a second echo signal;
A three-dimensional first image of the first region is generated based on the first echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the first scan by the transmission / reception unit, and the second by the transmission / reception unit. An image generation unit that generates a two-dimensional second image of the second region based on the second echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the scan;
A display unit configured to display the first image and the second image generated by the image generation unit side by side in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan and the second scan by the transmission / reception unit; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The transmission / reception unit performs each of the plurality of times so that the first scan and the second scan alternate,
The image generation unit generates the first image based on a plurality of the first echo signals acquired by each of the first scans, and a plurality of the second images acquired by each of the second scans. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is generated based on an echo signal. The transmission / reception unit performs each of the first scan and the second scan so that a first scan time assigned in the first scan and a second scan time assigned in the second scan are the same. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is performed a plurality of times alternately. The transmission / reception unit performs the first scan so that the ultrasonic wave is simultaneously transmitted to the first region with the first transmission sound ray number, and the ultrasonic wave is more than the first transmission sound ray number. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second scan is performed so as to simultaneously transmit to the second region with a small number of second transmission sound rays. The first region is a three-dimensional region;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region is a two-dimensional region. Based on an echo signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer arranged in the ultrasonic probe to the subject and reflected from the subject and received by the ultrasonic transducer, an image of the subject is obtained. An ultrasonic image display method for generating and displaying,
The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to the first region of the subject and reflected from the first region are changed for each sound ray of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the first region. A first scan that is received simultaneously with the number of received sound rays of 1 is performed to obtain a first echo signal, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to a second region included in the first region of the subject. The ultrasonic waves reflected from the second region are transmitted at a second received sound ray number less than the first received sound ray number per sound ray of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the second region. A first step of performing a second scan received simultaneously to obtain a second echo signal;
Based on the first echo signal, a three-dimensional first image of the first region is generated so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the first scan in the first step. A second step of generating a two-dimensional second image of the second region based on the second echo signal so as to be real time with respect to the execution of the second scan;
The first image and the second image generated in the second step are displayed side by side in real time with respect to the execution of the first scan and the second scan in the first step. An ultrasonic image display method comprising: In the first step, each of the first scan and the second scan is performed a plurality of times so as to alternate,
In the second step, the first image is generated based on the plurality of first echo signals acquired by each of the first scans, and the plurality of the first images acquired by each of the second scans. The ultrasonic image display method according to claim 6, wherein the second image is generated based on two echo signals. In the first step, the first scan and the second scan are set such that the first scan time assigned in the first scan is the same as the second scan time assigned in the second scan. The ultrasonic image display method according to claim 7, wherein each is alternately performed a plurality of times. In the first step, the first scan is performed so that the ultrasonic wave is simultaneously transmitted to the first region with the first transmission sound ray number, and the ultrasonic wave is the first transmission sound ray number. The ultrasonic image display method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second scan is performed so as to simultaneously transmit to the second region with a smaller number of second transmission sound rays. The first region is a three-dimensional region;
The ultrasonic image display method according to claim 6, wherein the second region is a two-dimensional region.

Images