JP2006167043A - Ultrasound imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make efficient diagnosis possible by enabling a user to accurately view display in both of the condition that the user is close to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and the condition that the user is away from it. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasound imaging apparatus is provided with a display part 20 and a distance between the display part 20 and the user is measured by a position sensor 31 and a distance measuring part 16. A display control part 19 controls the display part 20 so that an image displayed by the display part 20 is changed corresponding to the measured distance by updating image data stored in a memory part 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that displays an imaging image in real time.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus generates and displays a subject internal image in real time using ultrasonic waves. A user such as a doctor makes a diagnosis based on an image displayed by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus while operating the ultrasonic probe.

  In a medical field using such an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, depending on the positional relationship between the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus and the subject, the user operates the ultrasonic probe at a position away from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. There are things you have to do. In addition, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus for realizing efficient diagnosis in such an environment has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the operability in the environment as described above is improved by enabling remote operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus using a wireless device.

  However, it is not realistic to display an internal image of the subject using a wireless device. Therefore, the display of the subject internal image or the like is performed by a display provided in the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. For this reason, since the user views the display of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus from a distant position, it may be difficult to determine the content of the display.

Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus generally has a function of enlarging and displaying the subject internal image in order to make it possible to diagnose a part of the subject internal image in detail. However, in order to perform such an enlarged display, the user must perform an operation for that purpose.
JP2003-153903

  As described above, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus does not consider visual display from a distant position, and the user is away from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus for the operation of the ultrasonic probe. This led to a decrease in the efficiency of diagnosis in the situation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow the user to use the user regardless of whether the user is close to or away from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that enables accurate visual observation of a display and thereby enables efficient diagnosis.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display, measurement means for measuring a distance between the display and the user, and an image displayed on the display so that the image displayed on the display changes according to the distance. And an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising control means for controlling the display.

  According to the present invention, it is possible for the user to accurately observe the display in any situation where the user is close to or away from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, thereby enabling efficient diagnosis. Can be possible.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a main body 1, an ultrasonic probe 2, and a wireless device 3.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 emits ultrasonic waves to the subject P. The ultrasonic probe 2 receives reflected ultrasonic waves inside the subject P.

  The wireless device 3 is a handy operation device carried by a user. The wireless device 3 includes an operation panel 30, a position sensor 31, and a wireless communication unit 32.

  The operation panel 30 includes a plurality of key switches and the like and accepts an operation by a user. The operation panel 30 outputs a command indicating the content of the user's operation. The position sensor 31 detects a relative position with respect to the main body 1. The position sensor 31 outputs position information indicating the detected position. The wireless communication unit 32 transmits the operation command and the position information to the main body 1 using radio waves, infrared rays, or the like.

  The main body 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 10, a scan converter 11, a memory unit 12, an operation panel 13, a wireless communication unit 14, an imaging control unit 15, a distance measurement unit 16, a setting storage unit 17, a setting change unit 18, a display control unit 19, and A display unit 20 is included. Note that. The imaging control unit 15, the distance measurement unit 16, the setting change unit 18, and the display control unit 19 are realized by software processing by a processor, for example.

  The transmission / reception unit 10 sends a signal for causing the emission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic probe 2. The transmission / reception unit 10 receives the reflected signal output by the ultrasound probe 2 receiving the reflected ultrasound, and generates an object internal image based on the reflected signal. A subject internal image is an image representing various types of information acquired using ultrasound with respect to the inside of the subject. For example, the internal image of the subject includes a reconstructed image such as a tomographic image or a three-dimensional image of the organ and blood flow of the subject. The subject internal image includes, for example, measurement values related to organs and blood flow, and text images and graphs representing changes thereof. The scan converter 11 converts the subject internal image into display data suitable for display on the display unit 20. The scan converter 11 writes the display data into the memory unit 12.

  The operation panel 13 includes a plurality of key switches, a touch panel, a pointing device, and the like, and receives an operation by a user. The operation panel 13 outputs an operation command indicating the content of the user's operation. The wireless communication unit 14 receives data transmitted from the wireless communication unit 32. The wireless communication units 14 and 32 use radio waves, infrared rays, or the like as a data transmission medium.

  The imaging control unit 15 controls the transmission / reception unit 10 and the scan converter 11 so that an appropriate imaging process is performed in accordance with the diagnostic content. The imaging control unit 15 determines the diagnosis contents and the like according to the operation command output from the operation panel 13 or the operation command included in the data received by the wireless communication unit 14. Further, the imaging control unit 15 notifies the display control unit 19 of the diagnostic contents and the like.

  The distance measuring unit 16 measures the distance between the main body 1 and the wireless device 3 based on the position information included in the data received by the wireless communication unit. The setting storage unit 17 stores setting information as to which of the enlargement target objects to be described later. This setting information may include a predetermined default value and a value designated by the user. The setting change unit 18 updates the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 17 in accordance with an instruction from the user made using the operation panels 13 and 30.

  The display control unit 19 creates screen data representing a screen to be displayed on the display unit 20 and writes the screen data in the memory unit 12. The display control unit 19 creates screen data by combining data of a plurality of objects that has been facilitated in advance. The above objects include probe marks, body marks, auto data, display data written in the memory unit 12 by the scan converter 11, switches and icons for a touch command screen (TCS) and a graphical user interface (GUI) menu, and the like. Including. Further, as will be described later, the display control unit 19 includes a function of enlarging a part of an object included in the screen being displayed.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus configured as described above will be described.
Acquisition of information using ultrasonic waves and generation of a subject internal image based on the acquired information are performed in the same manner as a conventional ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus. The subject internal image is displayed on the screen displayed by the display unit 20 as one object. The screen displayed by the display unit 20 includes the above-described various objects in addition to the subject internal image in a predetermined arrangement. On the screen displayed in this manner, the operator can adjust the image quality parameter as in the conventional apparatus, set the image quality most suitable for the subject, and perform the examination.

  By the way, the wireless device 3 is carried by a user and used for operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. For this reason, the relative position of the wireless device 3 with respect to the main body 1 changes as the user moves. The position of the wireless device 3 relative to the main body 1 is detected by a position sensor 31. The position sensor 31 generates position information indicating the detected position. This position information is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless communication unit 32 and received by the wireless communication unit 14. When the position information received by the wireless communication unit 14 is input to the distance measurement unit 16, the distance measurement unit 16 measures the distance between the main body 1 and the wireless device 3 based on the position information. Note that the wireless device 3 is carried by a user such as a doctor, and therefore the distance measured by the distance measuring unit 16 corresponds to the distance between the display unit 20 and the user.

  Now, in the situation where the screen is displayed by the display unit 20 as described above, the display control unit 19 separately executes a process as shown in FIG. In step Sa1, the display control unit 19 waits for the distance measured by the distance measurement unit 16 (hereinafter referred to as a measurement distance) to be equal to or greater than a threshold value as described above.

  When a peripheral blood vessel or the like is examined, the examination may be performed in a state where the user is away from the main body 1. If the measurement distance becomes greater than or equal to the threshold due to the user moving away from the main body 1 by a certain distance or more, the display control unit 19 proceeds from step Sa1 to step Sa2. In step Sa2, the display control unit 19 updates the screen data so as to enlarge the display size of the object set as the enlargement target object in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 17.

  When another object that is not the enlargement target is arranged near the enlargement target object, this object and the enlarged object may overlap each other. In such a case, it is preferable to preferentially display the enlargement target object. In order to display the enlargement target object preferentially, an object that is not the enlargement target may be displayed in a state where it is hidden by the enlargement target object, or an object that is not the enlargement target may be reduced and displayed.

  The default value of the enlargement target object is individually determined according to the diagnosis content. In this default value, for example, the flow velocity of the blood flow is important in the Doppler mode. When cancellation or setting of the enlargement target is instructed by the user for each of these default enlargement target objects, the setting changing unit 18 updates the setting information to reflect the instruction. The setting change unit 18 may add an object not included in the default to the enlargement target object in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Thereby, the enlargement target object is arbitrarily set according to the user's needs.

  After enlarging the enlargement target object in this way, the display control unit 19 shifts to the standby state of steps Sa3 to Sa4. In this standby state, the display control unit 19 waits for the measurement distance to be less than the threshold value, for the specified time to elapse from when the enlargement target object is enlarged in step Sa2, or for the enlargement cancellation instruction to be issued.

  If the measurement distance becomes less than the threshold value due to the user returning to the vicinity of the main body 1, the display control unit 19 proceeds from step Sa3 to step Sa6. In step Sa6, the display control unit 19 updates the screen data so that the enlargement target object is returned to the standard size. Thereafter, the display control unit 19 returns to the standby state of step Sa1.

  On the other hand, if the specified time has elapsed from the time when the enlargement target object is enlarged in step Sa2, the display control unit 19 proceeds from step Sa4 to step Sa7. When the user instructs enlargement cancellation using the operation panels 13 and 30, the display control unit 19 proceeds from step Sa5 to step Sa7. In step Sa7, the display control unit 19 updates the screen data so that the enlargement target object is returned to the standard size. In this case, the user remains away from the main body 1. Therefore, in step Sa8, the display control unit 19 waits for the measurement distance to be less than the threshold value. That is, it waits for the user to return to the vicinity of the main body 1. If the measurement distance becomes less than the threshold value due to the user returning to the vicinity of the main body 1, the display control unit 19 returns from step Sa8 to the standby state of step Sa1.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of screens displayed on the display unit 20 when the character indicating the blood flow velocity is set as the enlargement target object. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which characters defined in the enlargement target object are displayed in a standard size. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen in which characters defined in the enlargement target object are enlarged.

  When the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 20 and the user moves away from the main body 1 by a certain distance or more, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 is changed to the screen shown in FIG. If the user returns to the vicinity of the main body 1, the specified time elapses after the screen is changed to the screen shown in FIG. 4, or the enlargement cancellation is instructed by the user, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 is shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG.

  Thus, when a blood flow test using the Doppler mode is performed, if the user moves away from the main body 1, characters indicating the flow velocity are automatically enlarged and displayed. Therefore, the user can accurately determine the flow velocity when checking the display screen on the display unit 20 at a remote position. As a result, misdiagnosis can be prevented and the examination can be performed efficiently. Specifically, when the subject has any numerical abnormality, it becomes easy to immediately diagnose such abnormality or shift to a close examination even if the user is away from the main body 1. . Furthermore, the possibility of misdiagnosis based on misperception of the display is low as compared with the case based on a small display in which it is difficult to recognize information during the examination.

  By the way, when accepting an operation using a GUI, a switch for GUI is appropriate as an object to be enlarged. FIGS. 5 to 7 show examples of screens displayed on the display unit 20 when the GUI switch is set as the enlargement target object. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen on which switches defined as objects to be enlarged are displayed in a standard size. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example on a screen in which a switch defined as an object to be enlarged is enlarged. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example on a screen in which a switch defined for the enlargement target object is enlarged.

  If the user moves away from the main body 1 by a certain distance or more when the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 20, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 is changed to the screen shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 6 shows a case where a plurality of switches arranged on the left side of the screen are determined as objects to be enlarged, and FIG. 7 shows only a switch currently selected by a pointer among the switches arranged on the left side. Is set to be an object to be enlarged. A screen displayed on the display unit 20 when the user returns to the vicinity of the main body 1, the specified time elapses after the screen is changed to the screen of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, or the enlargement cancellation is instructed by the user. Is returned to the screen shown in FIG.

  Thus, in a situation where the user uses the wireless device 3 from a position away from the main body 1 and uses the remote control, the GUI switch is automatically enlarged and displayed. Therefore, the user can accurately determine the function of the switch displayed on the display unit 20 at a remote position. As a result, the user can perform a smooth operation without error, and as a result, the user can perform an inspection efficiently.

  In the case of a switch for GUI, the operability can be further improved by changing the enlargement target according to the contents of the inspection to be performed. For example, “Multi-Freq”, “Focus Position”, “2D Gain”, “2D-IP”, “FrameRate”, etc. for general abdominal examinations, and “FEI Rec On / Off”, “Timer” for abdominal contrast examinations. On / Off, “Acoustic Power”, “2D FrameRate”, “2D IP”, “2D DR”, “Number of Shots”, etc. can be considered as objects to be enlarged.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples of screens displayed on the display unit 20 when the subject internal image is set as the enlargement target object. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen on which the subject internal image is displayed in a standard size. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen in which the subject internal image is enlarged.

  If the user moves away from the main body 1 by a certain distance or more when the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 20, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 is changed to the screen shown in FIG. If the user returns to the vicinity of the main body 1, the specified time elapses after the screen is changed to the screen shown in FIG. 9, or the enlargement cancellation is instructed by the user, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 is as shown in FIG. 8. You are returned to the screen shown in.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the function of changing the internal image of the subject according to the user's instruction is realized in the existing ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. In the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, if such a function is provided, the display size set by the user is set as the standard size. In the enlarged display as shown in FIG. 9, the subject internal image is automatically enlarged at a predetermined enlargement ratio with respect to the size set by the user.

  Thus, if the user moves away from the main body 1 while performing an examination using a subject internal image such as a tomogram, the subject internal image is automatically enlarged and displayed. Therefore, when the user confirms the display screen on the display unit 20 at a remote position, the user can accurately determine the state inside the subject. As a result, misdiagnosis can be prevented and the examination can be performed efficiently.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user moves away from the main body 1, that is, when it is necessary to view the display unit 20 from a distance, a part of the objects included in the displayed screen. Magnify the object to be enlarged. For this reason, the user can accurately grasp the object to be enlarged, and can efficiently inspect.

  As described above, when an object to be enlarged is displayed with priority over an object that is not enlarged, it is difficult to visually observe the object that is not enlarged. However, according to the present embodiment, after the enlarged display is performed for a specified time, or after the user instructs to cancel the enlargement, the display is restored to the standard display even if the user remains away from the main body 1. For this reason, according to this embodiment, visual observation of objects other than the enlargement target object can be performed accurately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the enlargement target object can be individually set for each examination content, and the object corresponding to the examination content being implemented is enlarged and displayed. For this reason, it is possible to enlarge and display important objects that differ for each examination content. Further, according to the present embodiment, the enlargement target object is determined according to the user's instruction. For this reason, it is possible to enlarge and display an appropriate object according to the needs of each user. By these, appropriate display corresponding to the occasional change is realized in various inspection aspects.

This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.
The display size at the time of enlarging display of the enlargement target object may be fixed or determined according to the user's designation.
The measurement distance may be classified into three or more distance sections by comparing the measurement distance with two or more threshold values, and the display size of the enlargement target object may be different for each of the three or more distance sections. Alternatively, the object to be enlarged may be enlarged by an enlargement rate corresponding to the measurement distance.
A body mark, which is a means for recording an examination site in a saved image, can be used as an enlargement target object for later examination information. In this way, it is possible to appropriately specify the inspection site in the body mark. As a result, an appropriate inspection based on the correct inspection site information can be performed at a later date.
The wireless device 3 may be dedicated to position detection without the operation panel 30. Alternatively, the position sensor 31 may be incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 2. Further, the positions of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the wireless device 3 may be detected on the main body 1 side.
The absolute position of the main body 1 and the absolute position of the ultrasonic probe 2 or the wireless device 3 may be detected, and the distance may be calculated based on the relative relationship between these two detection positions.
The distance may be directly measured using a magnetic sensor or the like without performing position detection. In this case, the distance measurement may be performed by any of the main body 1, the ultrasonic probe 2, and the wireless device 3.
A plurality of types of screens with different display layouts may be prepared and selectively displayed according to the measurement distance.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the 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.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the display control part 19 in FIG. The figure which shows the screen on which the character defined for the expansion object is displayed by standard size. The figure which shows the screen in which the character defined to the expansion object was expanded. The figure which shows the screen on which the switch defined for the expansion object is displayed in a standard size. The figure which shows a 1st example on the screen to which the switch defined in the expansion object was expanded. The figure which shows a 2nd example on the screen where the switch defined as the object for expansion was expanded. The figure which shows the screen on which a subject internal image is displayed by standard size. The figure which shows the screen to which the subject internal image was expanded.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 2 ... Ultrasonic probe, 3 ... Wireless device, 10 ... Transmission / reception part, 11 ... Scan converter, 12 ... Memory part, 13, 30 ... Operation panel, 14, 32 ... Wireless communication part, 15 ... Imaging Control unit, 16 ... distance measuring unit, 17 ... setting storage unit, 18 ... setting change unit, 19 ... display control unit, 20 ... display unit, 30 ... operation panel, 31 ... position sensor.

Claims (7)

An indicator,
Measuring means for measuring the distance between the display and the user;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the display so that an image displayed by the display changes according to the distance.   The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a size of a specific object among objects displayed on the display unit according to the distance.   The object includes a subject internal image generated using ultrasound, an image representing a scale of the subject internal image, an image representing a condition for generating the subject internal image, and a body mark indicating a site to be diagnosed The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of images indicating a control switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.   The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the specific object according to a diagnosis content.   The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the specific object according to an artificial setting.   The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines a change amount of the size of the specific object according to the distance according to an artificial setting.   The control means may be configured to change the size of the specific object from a standard size in response to a lapse of a specified time or in response to an artificially instructed release of the size change. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the size of the object is returned to the standard size.

Images