JP2006175006A - Ultrasonic observation unit, ultrasonic endoscope apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the acquisition of the ultrasonic tomographic images which intensify an artificial product inserted into the bodies of the patients. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic observation unit 3 includes a reception circuit 14 which processes the reception signal obtained from the ultrasonic echoes to be generated when the ultrasonic beam transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer is reflected from a subject and the artificial product, ultrasonic image generation means 15 and 17 which generate the ultrasonic images from a reception signal processed with the reception circuit 14, an artificial intensifying operation means 20 which is operated to intensify the artificial product in the ultrasonic images and an artificial product intensifying processing means 16 which carries out the processing for intensifying the artificial product in the ultrasonic images generated by the ultrasonic image generation means following the operation of the artificial product intensifying operation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic observation apparatus for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image by connecting to an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a patient's body for medical diagnosis, and such an ultrasonic observation apparatus and an ultrasonic wave. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus including an endoscope. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an image processing method used in such an ultrasonic observation apparatus.

  Conventionally, puncture processing using an ultrasonic endoscope is performed by changing the protruding state of a puncture needle protruding from the distal end portion of an insertion portion of an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a patient's body. This is performed while confirming in real time an ultrasonic tomographic image taken using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (ultrasonic transducers) provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. However, the puncturing process using such an ultrasonic endoscope is very difficult and requires an advanced technique.

  For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic endoscope that reduces the difficulty of the puncture process by suppressing the recoil when the puncture needle is inserted even in a tissue whose target site is hardened by fibrosis or the like. A mirror is disclosed. According to this ultrasonic endoscope, a magnetic force is applied from a magnetic field generator arranged outside the patient's body, and the ultrasonic endoscope is provided at a position close to the bending portion on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. By passing an electric current through the electromagnet, the position close to the bending portion on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion of the ultrasonic endoscope is attracted and fixed by the magnetic force to the lumen wall of the patient's trachea. As a result, when the puncture needle is pierced into the target site in the body cavity using the ultrasonic endoscope, the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope is prevented from bending due to the reaction of the puncture, and the target site is made of fiber. Even in a tissue that has become hard due to the formation of a puncture needle, the puncture needle can be easily and surely inserted into the target site.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that highlights and displays a puncture needle in a living body. According to this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, information on the puncture angle of the puncture needle acquired using the angle detector provided in the puncture adapter, and the luminance signal acquired based on the received signal of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam, From this, the position of the puncture needle in the living body is determined, and the reflection signal from the puncture needle is displayed in a highlighted manner on the monitor. However, in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since special beam scanning is required, it is difficult to control, and since an angle detector for acquiring the insertion angle of the puncture needle is required, ultrasonic waves are required. There is a problem that it is not necessarily suitable for use in an endoscope.

Further, Patent Document 3 below discloses an echo generating device that enhances an image of a catheter inserted into a patient's body by an ultrasonic (radiation) image device. According to this echo generating apparatus, the acoustic impedance of the boundary layer disposed on the tube portion made of the matrix material is made different from that of the matrix material. However, such an echo generator has a problem that it cannot be applied to a conventional catheter because the configuration of the catheter is different from the conventional one.
JP 2004-105289 A (paragraphs 0022 and 0023, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-208859 (paragraphs 0006, 0017 and 0018, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-345015 (paragraph 0004, FIG. 1)

  Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention provides an ultrasonic observation apparatus that can easily obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image in which an artificial object (such as a puncture needle or a catheter) inserted into a patient's body is emphasized. It is an object to provide an endoscope apparatus and an image processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is obtained based on an ultrasonic echo generated by reflection of an ultrasonic beam transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer from a subject and an artificial object. A reception circuit that processes a reception signal, an ultrasonic image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal processed by the reception circuit, and an artifact enhancement that is operated to enhance the artifact in the ultrasound image An operation unit and an artifact enhancement processing unit that performs a process for enhancing an artifact in an ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound image generation unit according to an operation of the artifact enhancement operation unit.

  An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer unit connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus, for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and an artificial And an ultrasonic endoscope having a hole for projecting an object.

  Furthermore, an image processing method according to one aspect of the present invention processes a received signal obtained based on an ultrasonic echo generated by reflection of an ultrasonic beam transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer from a subject and an artificial object. 1 step, a second step for performing processing for enhancing the artifact included in the ultrasonic image based on the received signal processed in the first step, and an artifact in the second step A third step of generating an ultrasound image in which is emphasized.

According to the present invention, since an ultrasonic image in which an artificial object such as a puncture needle is emphasized can be easily created and displayed, the difficulty level of puncture processing or the like can be reduced.
In addition, since an ultrasonic image in which an artifact is emphasized can be displayed only when the artifact enhancement operation means is operated, the operator can switch between a normal ultrasound image and an ultrasound image in which the artifact is emphasized. Can be done as needed.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic endoscope (an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus) 2 and an ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic observation device 3 to which the endoscope 2 can be connected and a display device 4 connected to the ultrasonic observation device 3 are included.

  The ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 includes a console 11, a CPU (central processing unit) 12, a transmission circuit 13, a reception circuit 14, a B-mode processing unit 15, a puncture needle emphasizing unit 16, and a digital scan converter. (DSC) 17, image memory 18, and digital / analog converter (D / A converter) 19 are included.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion unit 31, an operation unit 32, a connection cord 33, and a universal cord 34.
The insertion portion 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has an elongated flexible tubular shape so that it can be inserted into a patient's body. The operation unit 32 is provided at the proximal end of the insertion unit 31, is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 3 via the connection cord 33, and is connected to a light source device (not shown) via the universal cord 34. .

  The insertion portion 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is provided with an illumination window and an observation window. The illumination window is equipped with an illumination lens for emitting illumination light supplied from the light source device via the light guide. These constitute an illumination optical system. In addition, an objective lens is attached to the observation window, and an image guide input end or a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD camera is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens. These constitute an observation optical system.

  A convex-type ultrasonic transducer section 40 in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged is provided at the distal end of the insertion section 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2. The ultrasonic transducer section 40 transmits an ultrasonic beam according to a plurality of drive signals supplied from the transmission circuit 13 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 shown in FIG. The ultrasonic echo is received, and a plurality of reception signals are output to the reception circuit 14 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 via the connection cord 33. In addition, a hole is formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 through which an artificial object such as a puncture needle 36 inserted from a treatment instrument insertion port 35 provided in the operation portion 32 is projected. Yes.

  The console 11 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 1 sends a control signal A for controlling the start / stop of the ultrasonic imaging operation using the ultrasonic endoscope 2 to the CPU 12 based on the operation of the operator. Output. Further, when the operator operates the puncture needle emphasis button 20, the console 11 outputs a puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B for controlling start / stop of the puncture needle emphasis operation in the puncture needle emphasis unit 16 and the DSC 17 to the CPU 12. .

  The CPU 12 outputs a transmission control signal A1 for controlling the operation of the transmission circuit 13 to the transmission circuit 13 based on the control signal A input from the console 11, and controls the operation of the reception circuit 14. The reception control signal A2 is output to the reception circuit 14. Further, the CPU 12 generates a puncture needle emphasis control signal B1 for controlling the operation of the puncture needle emphasis unit 16 and DSC 17 based on the puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B input from the console 11, and the puncture needle emphasis control unit B1 and DSC17. Output to.

  The transmission circuit 13 generates a plurality of drive signals based on the transmission control signal A1, and outputs these drive signals to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. In accordance with these drive signals, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section 40 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 to scan the subject.

  On the other hand, the reception circuit 14 amplifies the reception signal input from the ultrasonic transducer unit 40 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 with a predetermined amplification degree, and then performs analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion), The amplified received signal is converted into a digital received signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the B-mode processing unit 15 includes a phase matching unit 51, a sound ray memory 52, and a detection unit 53. The phase matching unit 51 performs phase matching on the digital reception signal input from the reception circuit 14 and performs reception focus processing to form sound ray data in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed down. The sound ray memory 52 stores the sound ray data formed by the phase matching unit 51. The detection unit 53 performs an envelope detection process on the sound ray data read from the sound ray memory 52 by performing an envelope detection process after correcting the attenuation according to the distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic beam. Generate mode image data.

  The puncture needle emphasis unit 16 includes a correlation value calculation unit 61, a correlation value memory 62, and a reference signal memory 63. The correlation value calculation unit 61 is represented by a waveform represented by the phase-matched sound ray data output from the phase matching unit 51 of the B-mode processing unit 15 and reference signal data stored in the reference signal memory 63. The correlation value with the waveform is calculated. The reference signal memory 62 stores reference signal data which is data obtained by measuring in advance a reception signal based on the ultrasonic echo reflected from the puncture needle 36.

Here, since the reference signal data is obtained by measuring the reflected signal from only the puncture needle 36, it is created as follows, for example.
After the puncture needle 36 protrudes into the water at a puncture angle in the ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted toward the puncture needle 36, and the first puncture needle 36 indicated by a black dot in FIG. Echo signals of four ultrasonic beams (sound ray k, sound ray l, sound ray m, and sound ray n) transmitted toward the fourth positions P1 to P4 are measured. The sound ray data obtained from the four measured echo signals are referred to as first to fourth reference signal data Ref1 to Ref4. The correlation value memory 62 stores correlation value data representing the correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveform represented by the reference signal data, calculated by the correlation value calculation unit 61.

  In the above, the B-mode processing unit 15 to DSC 17 (except for the memory) may be configured by a digital circuit, or the CPU 12 and software (image processing program) for causing the CPU 12 to perform various processes. You may comprise by. In this case, the CPU 12 calculates a correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveform represented by the reference signal based on the image processing program recorded on the recording medium. As the recording medium, a hard disk, flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used.

  The DSC 17 includes an RGB processing unit 71 and a scan conversion unit 72. The RGB processing unit 71 sets the amplitudes of the three color signals (R signal, G signal, and B signal) to 0 to 255 gradations based on the B-mode image data input from the B-mode processing unit 15 during normal operation. (8 bits). Note that the B-mode processing unit 15 and the DSC 17 constitute an ultrasonic image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the received signal.

  Further, since the RGB processing unit 71 displays red at the tip of the puncture needle 36 (FIG. 2) during the puncture needle emphasis operation, as shown in FIG. 5, the three color signals (R signal) of the B-mode image data are displayed. , G signal and B signal) are expressed by 0 to 200 gradations, and the amplitude of the R signal is maximized according to the first to fourth correlation values CRef1 to CRef4 input from the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16. To increase to 255 gradations. At this time, the RGB processing unit 71 increases the amplitude of the R signal by weighting the first to fourth correlation values CRef1 to CRef4. That is, the RGB processing unit 71 increases the amplitude of the R signal up to 35 gradations in proportion to the first correlation value CRef1, and increases the amplitude of the R signal to 15 in maximum in proportion to the second correlation value CRef2. The gray level is increased up to 10 gradations in proportion to the third correlation value CRef3, and the amplitude of the R signal is increased up to 5 levels in proportion to the fourth correlation value CRef4. Make it bigger.

  The scan conversion unit 72 is output from the RGB processing unit 71 because the B-mode image data generated by the B-mode processing unit 15 is obtained by a scanning method different from the normal television signal scanning method. The B-mode image data is converted into normal image data (raster conversion).

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the image memory 18 stores image data input from the scan conversion unit 72 of the DSC 17. The D / A converter 19 converts the digital image data read from the image memory 18 into an analog image signal and outputs it to the display device 4. As a result, an ultrasonic tomographic image captured by the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is displayed on the display device 4.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Since the operation at the normal operation is the same as that of the normal ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, the operation at the time of puncture needle emphasis operation Only will be described. Further, it is assumed that the reference signal memory 63 of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16 stores the first to fourth reference signal data Ref1 to Ref4 shown in FIG.

  When taking an ultrasonic tomogram using the ultrasonic endoscope 2 shown in FIG. 2, the operator emits light from a light source connected to one end of the universal cord 34 and is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 31. The illumination light is emitted from the illuminated window into the patient's body, and the insertion portion 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is inserted into the patient's body as the subject while observing the insertion state from the observation window. When the insertion portion 31 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 reaches the target position, the operator inserts the puncture needle 36 from the treatment instrument insertion port 35 and protrudes from the hole at the distal end of the insertion portion 31.

  Thereafter, the operator operates the console 11 shown in FIG. 1 to output a control signal A for starting the ultrasonic imaging operation from the console 11 to the CPU 12. In addition, the operator presses the puncture needle emphasis button 20 on the console 11 to output a puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B for starting the puncture needle emphasis operation from the console 11 to the CPU 12.

  Based on the control signal A, the CPU 12 outputs a transmission control signal A1 instructing the start of the operation of the transmission circuit 13 and the generation of the drive signal for the B mode to the transmission circuit 13, and the operation of the reception circuit 14 is started. A reception control signal A2 is output to the reception circuit 14. Further, based on the puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B, the CPU 12 starts the operation of the puncture needle emphasis unit 16 and also causes the RGB processing unit 71 (FIG. 3) of the DSC 17 to start the puncture needle emphasis operation signal B1. Is output to the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16 and the DSC 17.

  The transmission circuit 13 generates a plurality of drive signals for transmitting an ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic transducer unit 40 (FIG. 2). The plurality of generated drive signals are output to the ultrasonic transducer unit 40 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2. Thereby, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer unit 40 to the subject and the puncture needle 36.

  A plurality of reception signals obtained in the ultrasonic transducer unit 40 by receiving an ultrasonic echo generated by the reflection of the ultrasonic beam from the subject and the puncture needle 36 are input from the ultrasonic endoscope 2 to the reception circuit 14. And converted into a digital received signal. This digital received signal is output to the phase matching unit 51 (FIG. 3) of the B-mode processing unit 15 and subjected to reception focus processing in the phase matching unit 51 to form sound ray data. The sound ray data formed in the phase matching unit 51 is stored in the sound ray memory 52 and output to the correlation value calculation unit 61 (FIG. 3) of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16.

  In the correlation value calculation unit 61 of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16, the waveform represented by the sound ray data input from the phase matching unit 51 of the B mode processing unit 15 and the first to fourth read out from the reference signal memory 63. Correlation values with the waveforms represented by the reference signal data Ref1 to Ref4 are calculated.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, a sound ray corresponding to an echo signal of an ultrasonic beam (sound ray n) transmitted toward the first position P1 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 36. For the data, as shown in FIGS. 6B to 6E, the correlation value CRef1 with the waveform represented by the first reference signal data Ref1 is maximized, and is represented by the second reference signal data Ref2. Correlation value CRef2 with the waveform, correlation value CRef3 with the waveform represented by the third reference signal data Ref3, and correlation value CRef4 with the waveform represented by the fourth reference signal data Ref4 decrease in this order. .

  On the other hand, for the sound ray data corresponding to the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam (sound ray m) transmitted toward the second position P2 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 36, the second reference signal is used. Regarding the sound ray data corresponding to the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam (sound ray l) transmitted toward the third position P3 of the puncture needle 36, the correlation value CRef2 with the waveform represented by the data Ref2 is maximized. The correlation value CRef3 with the waveform represented by the third reference signal data Ref3 is maximized, and corresponds to the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam (sound ray k) transmitted toward the fourth position P4 of the puncture needle 36. As for the sound ray data, the correlation value CRef4 with the waveform represented by the fourth reference signal data Ref4 is maximized.

Correlation value data representing the correlation values CRef <b> 1 to CRef <b> 4 calculated by the correlation value calculation unit 61 is stored in the correlation value memory 62.
The RGB processing unit 71 of the DSC 17 represents the amplitude of each of the three color signals (R signal, G signal, and B signal) of the B mode image data input from the B mode processing unit 15 with 0 to 200 gradations. The amplitude of the R signal of the B-mode image is increased according to the correlation value data read from the correlation value memory 62 of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the amplitude of the R signal of the B-mode image data is weighted and added to the first to fourth correlation values CRef1 to CRef4. The sound ray data having the largest correlation value CRef1 with the waveform represented by the first reference signal data Ref1 is the largest, and the correlation value CRef2 with the waveform represented by the second reference signal data Ref2 is the largest. And the sound ray data having the maximum correlation value CRef3 with the waveform represented by the third reference signal data Ref3 and the correlation value CRef4 with the waveform represented by the fourth reference signal data Ref4. It becomes smaller in the order of the maximum sound ray data. As a result, in the image data (ultrasonic tomographic image) raster-converted by the scan conversion unit 72 (FIG. 3) of the DSC 17, the red color becomes darker toward the tip of the puncture needle 36. Can be changed. Thereby, the operator can process the affected area of the patient while easily confirming the position of the tip of the puncture needle 36 in the ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the display device 4.

In the above description, four reference signals (first to fourth reference signal data Ref1 to Ref4) are used as reference signals corresponding to the four positions of the puncture needle 36, but the number of reference signals is arbitrary. Good. When the number of reference signals is one, it is preferable to obtain the reference signal by measuring the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam from the position of the tip of the puncture needle 36 in advance.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, when the echo signal from each position of the puncture needle 36 is measured in advance to obtain a reference signal, the puncture needle 36 may be meshed. At this time, it is desirable to make the mesh size smaller at the base of the puncture needle 36.

Furthermore, in order to be able to cope with changes in the insertion angle of the puncture needle 36, a reflected signal for each of a plurality of types of angles between the ultrasonic beam and the puncture needle 36 is measured in advance to obtain a reference signal. Anyway.
Moreover, although the case where the puncture needle 36 is emphasized was demonstrated, the reference showing the reference signal obtained by previously measuring the reflected signal from the artifact of an ultrasonic beam also about artifacts, such as an intravascular stent and a catheter, is shown. By storing the signal data in the reference signal memory 63 (FIG. 3), the present invention can be applied.

Next, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, the puncture needle emphasis unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 includes an interphase value calculation unit 61, an interphase value memory 62 and a reference signal memory 63 shown in FIG. 3. Instead of the point that the threshold processing unit 81 and the processing result memory 82 are provided and the RGB processing unit 71 of the DSC 17 increases the amplitude of the R signal according to the first to fourth interphase values CRef1 to CRef4, This is different from the first embodiment in that the amplitude of the R signal is increased according to the processing result data input from the processing result memory 82 of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the threshold value processing unit 81 of the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16 has an amplitude of the waveform represented by the sound ray data input from the phase matching unit 51 of the B-mode processing unit 15 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The threshold processing result data that becomes high level is output. The processing result memory 82 stores threshold processing result data input from the threshold processing unit 81.

In the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, an ultrasonic beam transmitted toward the first position P1 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 36 as shown in FIG. As for the sound ray data corresponding to the echo signal of (sound ray n), as shown in FIG. As a result, threshold processing result data in which this portion is at a high level is created by the threshold processing unit 81 shown in FIG. 7 and stored in the processing result memory 82. The RGB processing unit 71 of the DSC 17 represents the amplitude of each of the three color signals (R signal, G signal, and B signal) of the B mode image input from the B mode processing unit 15 with 0 to 200 gradations, and performs processing. The amplitude of the R signal of the pixel corresponding to the high level portion of the threshold processing result data read from the result memory 82 is 255 gradations.
The amplitude of the sound ray data corresponding to the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam (sound ray m to k) transmitted toward the second to fourth positions P2 to P4 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 36 is also determined. In the same manner, in the RGB processing unit 71 of the DSC 17, the amplitude of the R signal of the pixel corresponding to the portion where the threshold processing result data is at the high level is set to 255 gradations.
Thereby, an ultrasonic tomographic image in which the puncture needle 36 is red is displayed on the display device 4.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to calculate the correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveform represented by the reference signal. Cost reduction can be realized as compared with such an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus. In addition, in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, an ultrasonic tomographic image in which an artificial object having a high reflectance other than the puncture needle is highlighted in red can be displayed.

Next, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the puncture needle emphasizing unit 16 includes a differential processing unit 91 in the preceding stage of the threshold processing unit 92.

  The differentiation processing unit 91 extracts an edge signal by differentiating the waveform represented by the sound ray data input from the phase matching unit 51 of the B mode processing unit 15. The threshold processing unit 92 outputs threshold processing result data that becomes a high level when the amplitude of the edge signal extracted by the differentiation processing unit 91 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processing result memory 93 is for storing threshold processing result data input from the threshold processing unit 92.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, the puncture needle is obtained by setting the amplitude of the R signal of the pixel of the B-mode image corresponding to the portion where the amplitude of the edge signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value to 255 gradations. An ultrasonic tomographic image in which the 36 contour lines are red can be displayed on the display device 4.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to calculate the correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveform represented by the reference signal. Cost reduction can be realized as compared with such an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus. Moreover, in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, an ultrasonic tomographic image in which an outline other than a puncture needle with a high reflectance is emphasized with a red outline can be displayed.

  In the above description, the RGB processing unit 71 of the DSC 17 increases the amplitude of the R signal according to the correlation value and the threshold processing result, but the amplitude of the G signal or the B signal may be increased. Further, an ultrasonic tomographic image in which the luminance of the puncture needle 36 is increased may be displayed by increasing the amplitudes of all of the R signal, the G signal, and the B signal in accordance with the correlation value or the threshold processing result.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the puncture needle emphasis button 20 is provided on the console 11 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. For example, the puncture needle emphasis button 20 is provided on the operation unit 22 (FIG. 2) of the ultrasonic endoscope 2. The puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B may be output from the operation unit 22 to the CPU 12 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3.

  Furthermore, although the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is used by being connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2, it may be used by being connected to an external ultrasonic probe. However, in the ultrasonic endoscope 2, since the ultrasonic transducer part is small, the image quality is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is used when connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 rather than the external ultrasonic probe. The merit by puncture needle emphasis is great.

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic observation apparatus for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image in which an artificial object such as a puncture needle inserted into a patient's body is emphasized, and an ultrasonic endoscope including such an ultrasonic observation apparatus. Can be used in the device.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the B mode process part 15, the puncture needle emphasis part 16, and DSC17 which are shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the production method of reference signal data. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the RGB process part 71 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the correlation value calculation part 61 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the threshold value process part 81 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 2 Ultrasonic endoscope 3 Ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 Display apparatus 11 Console 12 CPU
13 Transmission Circuit 14 Reception Circuit 15 B Mode Processing Unit 16 Puncture Needle Enhancement Unit 17 DSC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Image memory 19 D / A converter 20 Puncture needle emphasis button 31 Insertion part 32 Operation part 33 Connection code 34 Universal code 35 Treatment tool insertion port 36 Puncture needle 40 Ultrasonic transducer part 51 Phase matching part 52 Sound ray memory 53 Detection part 61 Correlation Value Calculation Unit 62 Correlation Value Memory 63 Reference Signal Memory 71 RGB Processing Unit 72 Scan Conversion Unit 81, 92 Threshold Processing Unit 82, 93 Processing Result Memory 91 Differentiation Processing Unit

Claims (17)

A receiving circuit for processing a received signal obtained based on an ultrasonic echo generated by reflection of an ultrasonic beam transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer from a subject and an artificial object;
Ultrasonic image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the received signal processed by the receiving circuit;
An artifact-enhancing operation means operated to enhance the artifact in the ultrasonic image;
An artifact enhancement processing means for performing processing for enhancing the artifact in the ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound image generation means in accordance with the operation of the artifact enhancement operation means;
An ultrasonic observation apparatus comprising: The artifact enhancement processing means is
Correlation value calculating means for calculating a correlation value between a waveform represented by sound ray data obtained by performing phase matching processing on a received signal and a waveform of at least one reference signal obtained by imaging an artifact. When,
A reference signal memory for storing reference signal data representing the reference signal;
A correlation value memory for storing correlation value data representing the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation means;
And based on the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation means, a process for enhancing an artifact is performed.
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is obtained by measuring ultrasonic echoes from a plurality of positions of the artifact in advance.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal is obtained by measuring in advance ultrasonic echoes at a plurality of types of angles between the ultrasonic beam and the artifact.   The ultrasonic image generating means increases the amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used for displaying the ultrasonic image in accordance with the signal output from the artifact enhancement processing means. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a color signal processing unit that emphasizes an artifact.   The color signal processing means weights each of the plurality of reference signals according to the correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveforms represented by the plurality of reference signals, and converts the ultrasonic image The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the artifact is emphasized by increasing an amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used for display. The artifact enhancement processing means is
Threshold processing means for comparing the amplitude of a waveform represented by sound ray data obtained by performing phase matching processing on a received signal with a predetermined threshold;
A processing result memory for storing threshold processing result data representing a comparison result in the threshold processing means;
When the amplitude of the waveform represented by the sound ray data is larger than a threshold value, a process for enhancing an artifact is performed.
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1. The artifact enhancement processing means is
Differential processing means for differentiating a waveform represented by sound ray data obtained by performing phase matching processing on a received signal;
Threshold processing means for comparing the differential value obtained by the differential processing means with a predetermined threshold;
A processing result memory for storing threshold processing result data representing a comparison result in the threshold processing means;
When the differential value is larger than the threshold value, a process for emphasizing the artifact is performed.
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the artificial object is a puncture needle used in an ultrasonic endoscope.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein mesh processing is performed according to a position of the puncture needle. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus, for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic endoscope having a hole for projecting an artifact;
An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the artifact enhancement operation means is provided in the ultrasonic endoscope. A first step of processing a received signal obtained based on an ultrasonic echo generated by reflection of an ultrasonic beam transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer from a subject and an artifact;
A second step of performing a process for enhancing an artifact included in the ultrasonic image based on the received signal processed in the first step;
A third step of generating an ultrasound image in which the artifact is emphasized in the second step;
An image processing method comprising:   In the second step, at least one obtained by imaging a waveform represented by sound ray data obtained by performing phase matching processing on the reception signal processed in the first step, and an artifact. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising: calculating a correlation value with the waveforms of the two reference signals, and performing a process for enhancing the artifact based on the calculated correlation value.   The second step performs weighting for each of the plurality of reference signals according to a correlation value between the waveform represented by the sound ray data and the waveforms represented by the plurality of reference signals. The image processing method according to claim 14, comprising enhancing an artifact by increasing an amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used for display.   In the second step, the amplitude of the waveform represented by the sound ray data obtained by performing the phase matching process on the received signal is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the amplitude of the waveform represented by the sound ray data is determined. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising: performing processing for emphasizing the artifact when larger than the threshold value.   The second step compares a differential value obtained by differentiating a waveform represented by sound ray data obtained by performing phase matching processing on the received signal with a predetermined threshold value, and the differential value is a threshold value. The image processing method of Claim 13 including performing the process for emphasizing an artifact when larger than this.

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