JP2006320751A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, effectively using an image signal obtained on the basis of higher harmonics contained in an ultrasonic reflected wave signal. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe 3 transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject and converting a reflection echo from the subject to a reflected wave signal; a transmitter/receiver part 5 dividing the reflected wave signal into a desired fundamental wave component and higher harmonics component higher than the fundamental wave component; a scanning converting part 7 converting the reflected wave signal of the fundamental wave component and the reflected wave signal of higher harmonics component respectively to image signals; and a display part 9 individually displaying the image signal of the fundamental wave component and the image signal of the higher harmonics component by switching the display screen according to the output of the scanning converting part 7, or displaying the image signal of the fundamental wave component and the image signal of the higher harmonics component to be superposed one on the other on one display screen, or displaying the image signal of the fundamental wave component and the image signal of the higher harmonics component on the divided sections of one display screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of a subject using an ultrasonic reflected wave signal, and in particular, a diagnosis obtained based on a harmonic component included in an ultrasonic reflected wave signal. The present invention relates to information image display technology.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of a subject based on an ultrasonic reflected wave signal obtained by emitting ultrasonic waves to the subject, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a CO ₂ bubble or the like is used. It is known that the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave signal (echo intensity) is enhanced by the contrast agent (contrast agent).

  In recent years, attempts have been made to obtain new diagnostic information by detecting a harmonic component contained in an ultrasonic reflected wave signal from the contrast agent.

  However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an effective display technology for diagnostic information obtained based on the harmonic component has not been established. For this reason, there was a problem that the diagnostic information obtained based on the harmonic component could not be used effectively.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and effectively uses the diagnostic information by effectively displaying an image signal obtained based on a harmonic component included in an ultrasonic reflected wave signal. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing the above.

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

  The viewpoint of the present invention is that transmission / reception means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject and converting a reflected echo from the subject into a reflected wave signal; and from the reflected wave signal, the fundamental wave band of the transmitted ultrasonic wave Harmonic component extraction means for extracting a harmonic component included in a high band, a signal based on a fundamental wave component included in a band including at least the fundamental wave band of the reflected wave signal, and a signal based on the harmonic component A signal adjusting unit that performs amplification processing or attenuation processing on at least one of the image signal, and an image signal of the fundamental component and an image signal of the harmonic component that are individually switched based on an output from the signal adjusting unit. Display the fundamental wave component image signal and the harmonic component image signal overlaid on one screen, or divide the fundamental wave component image signal and the harmonic component image signal into one screen. Out of display An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a display means for performing Zureka.

  As described above, the present invention can effectively use the diagnostic information by effectively displaying the image signal obtained based on the harmonic component included in the ultrasonic reflected wave signal. Become.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 3, a transmission / reception unit 5, a scan conversion unit 7, a display unit 9, an input unit 11, and a control unit 13. A normal B-mode image and an image of a harmonic band component (harmonic component) higher than the fundamental wave component of the B-mode image (hereinafter referred to as a harmonic B-mode image) can be effectively displayed. .

  The ultrasonic probe 3 transmits an ultrasonic wave into the subject based on a voltage supplied from a transmitter / receiver 5 described later, receives a reflected wave from the subject, and converts it into a reflected wave signal.

  The transmission / reception unit 5 includes a transmission unit 15, a transmission band-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as transmission BPF) 17, a reception unit 19, a reception band-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as reception BPF) 21, and an AGC (Automatic). Gain Control) 23.

  The transmission unit 15 drives the ultrasonic probe 3 by applying a voltage to the ultrasonic probe 3 and transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 3.

  When displaying the B-mode image and the harmonic B-mode image, the transmission BPF 17 supplies only the frequency band corresponding to the B-mode fundamental wave component to the ultrasonic probe 3 according to a command from the control unit 13 described later. In this way, when displaying a harmonic B-mode image, only the frequency band corresponding to the fundamental wave component of the B mode is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 3 to obtain a harmonic B-mode image. However, even if a harmonic component is included in the transmitted ultrasonic wave, it can be determined whether it was included from the beginning at the time of transmission or enhanced by a contrast agent.

  The receiving unit 19 receives the reflected wave signal converted by the ultrasonic probe 3 and supplies it to the receiving BPF 21 and the AGC 23 side.

  The reception BPF 21 extracts only the harmonic component from the reflected wave signal supplied from the reception unit 19.

  When displaying the B-mode image, the AGC 23 attenuates the intensity of the reflected wave signal supplied from the receiving unit 19 and extracts the reflected wave signal of the B-mode fundamental wave component without saturation. By controlling (attenuating) the reflected wave signal intensity when displaying a B-mode image in this way, when displaying a B-mode image, the reflected wave signal intensity is enhanced by the contrast agent, and the signal is saturated when displayed as it is. Thus, it is possible to prevent the B-mode image from being displayed with the optimum intensity. The AGC 23 is also effective in manually setting the attenuation amount by operating the panel.

  The scan conversion unit 7 includes a digital scan converter (hereinafter referred to as DSC) 25, a harmonic image memory 27, an image memory 29, a harmonic mark memory 31, an image processing unit 33, and an image switching unit 35.

  The DSC 25 converts the reflected wave signal of the harmonic component extracted by the receiving BPF 21 into an image signal and supplies it to the harmonic image memory 27, and also reflects the reflected wave signal of the B-mode fundamental wave component extracted by the AGC 23 or A reflected wave signal that does not pass through the AGC 23 (a normal B-mode reflected wave signal) is converted into an image signal and supplied to the image memory 29.

  The harmonic image memory 27 temporarily holds the harmonic component image signal supplied from the DSC 25.

  The image memory 29 temporarily holds the B-mode image signal supplied from the DSC 25.

  The harmonic mark memory 31 stores in advance a mark (for example, “Harmonic”) indicating that it is a harmonic B-mode image.

  When displaying a harmonic B-mode image, the image processing unit 33 reads a mark indicating that it is a harmonic B-mode image from the harmonic mark memory 31 and writes it in a desired position of the harmonic B-mode image. The image processing unit 33 also increases the luminance of the harmonic component image signal as compared to the image signal in the fundamental wave band of the B mode.

  The image switching unit 35 includes a memory (not shown), holds a harmonic component image signal and a B-mode fundamental wave component image signal in the memory, and follows a command from the control unit 13 to be described later in a harmonic B mode. The two temporarily held image signals are individually supplied to the display unit 9 so as to display the image and the B-mode image separately by switching the screen, or the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are combined. The two temporarily held image signals are added and displayed to the display unit 9 so as to overlap and display on the screen, or the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are divided and displayed on one screen. The two temporarily stored image signals are supplied to the display unit 9 so as to cause the image to be displayed.

  The display unit 9 includes a display device (not shown) such as a CRT, and displays the image signal supplied from the image switching unit 35 of the scan conversion unit 7 on the screen of the display device.

  The input unit 11 includes an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, and supplies a signal corresponding to a key pressed by the operator to the control unit 13.

  The control unit 13 controls operations of the transmission / reception unit 5, the scan conversion unit 7, and the display unit 9 in accordance with a signal supplied from the input unit 11.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, a case where the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are individually displayed by switching the screen will be described.

  First, when displaying the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image individually by switching the screen, the operator presses a predetermined key on the keyboard of the input unit 11 corresponding thereto. As a result, the input unit 11 supplies the control unit 13 with a command for individually displaying the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image on the entire screen.

  When the command is supplied from the input unit 11, the control unit 13 switches the switch 17 a to the transmission BPF 17 side and switches the switch 23 a to the AGC 23 side. In this state, the control unit 13 applies a voltage to the ultrasonic probe 3 from the transmission unit 15 to the ultrasonic probe 3 via the transmission BPF 17.

  When a voltage is applied, the ultrasonic probe 3 transmits an ultrasonic wave, receives the reflected wave, converts it into a reflected wave signal, and supplies it to the receiving unit 19.

  The receiving unit 19 supplies the reflected wave signal supplied from the ultrasonic probe 3 to the receiving BPF 21 and the AGC 23 side. The receiving BPF 21 extracts only the harmonic component of the reflected wave signal and supplies it to the DSC 25. The AGC 23 extracts the reflected wave signal of the B-mode fundamental wave component by attenuating the intensity of the reflected wave signal, and the DSC 25 To supply.

  When the reflected wave signal of the harmonic component is supplied from the receiving BPF 21, the DSC 25 converts the reflected wave signal of the harmonic component into an image signal and stores it in the harmonic image memory 27. When the reflected wave signal of the B mode fundamental wave component is supplied from the AGC 23, the DSC 25 converts the reflected wave signal of the B mode fundamental wave component into an image signal and stores it in the image memory 29.

  In this state, the image processing unit 33 reads out the harmonic component image signal from the harmonic image memory 27 and also reads out the harmonic mark from the harmonic mark memory 31 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13. The image processing unit 33 writes a harmonic mark at a predetermined position of the image signal, and supplies the image signal of the harmonic component in which the harmonic mark is written to the image switching unit 35. In this way, the harmonic mark “Harmonic” indicating that the image is a harmonic image is displayed at a predetermined position of the harmonic B-mode image displayed on the screen of the display unit 9. Thereby, the operator can recognize that the harmonic B-mode image is displayed.

  Next, the image switching unit 35 reads out the image signal of the fundamental wave component of the B mode from the image memory 29 according to the command of the control unit 13 and temporarily holds it in the memory, and also stores the image signal of the harmonic component supplied from the image processing unit 33. Temporarily hold in memory. When the operator presses a key corresponding to the harmonic B-mode image display, the image switching unit 35 supplies an image signal of the harmonic component to the display unit 9. As a result, the display unit 9 displays the harmonic B mode image on the entire screen as shown in FIG.

  Further, when a key corresponding to B-mode image display is pressed by the operator, the image switching unit 35 supplies an image signal of a B-mode fundamental wave component to the display unit 9. As a result, the display unit 9 switches the image to be displayed to the B mode image as shown in FIG. 2A shows the blood vessel image by the harmonic B-mode image, but the brightness of the actual image is higher than that of the blood vessel image by the B-mode image shown by the line in FIG. 2B. is doing.

  Next, a case where a harmonic B-mode image and a B-mode image are displayed so as to overlap each other will be described. In this case, since the operation of the image switching unit 35 is different from the case where the above-described harmonic B-mode image and B-mode image are individually displayed by switching the screen, the operation of the image switching unit 35 will be described with emphasis.

  When the operator presses a predetermined key corresponding to the case where the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are displayed in a single screen, the image switching unit 35 receives the B mode from the image memory 29 in accordance with a command from the control unit 13. The fundamental wave component image signal is read out and temporarily stored in the memory, and the harmonic component image signal supplied from the image processing unit 33 is temporarily stored in the memory. Thereafter, the image switching unit 35 adds the two image signals temporarily stored in the memory for each coordinate and supplies the added signals to the display unit 9. In this way, the display unit 9 displays the harmonic B mode image and the B mode image so as to overlap each other as shown in FIG.

  Next, a case where the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are divided and displayed on one screen will be described. In this case, since the operation of the image switching unit 35 is different from the case where the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are individually displayed by switching the screen, the operation of the image switching unit 35 will be described with emphasis.

  When the operator presses a predetermined key corresponding to the case where the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are divided and displayed on one screen, the image switching unit 35 receives the B from the image memory 29 according to the command of the control unit 13. The mode fundamental wave component image signal is read and temporarily stored in the memory, and the harmonic component image signal supplied from the image processing unit 33 is temporarily stored in the memory. Thereafter, the image switching unit 35 combines the two image signals temporarily held in the memory so as to be divided and displayed on one screen, and supplies them to the display unit 9. In this way, the display unit 9 displays a harmonic B-mode image and a B-mode image by dividing one screen as shown in FIG.

  Note that when the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are displayed overlaid on one screen or when the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are displayed divided on one screen, the B-mode image is affected by the contrast agent. Although the luminance is enhanced, in addition to the attenuation of the reflected wave signal intensity by the AGC 23, if the luminance level above a predetermined threshold level is set in the DSC 25 in advance so as to be the threshold level, a harmonic B-mode image Can be made easier to understand.

  Further, if only the B-mode fundamental wave component image signal is stored in the image memory 29 before the contrast agent injection, and the harmonic component image signal is stored in the harmonic image memory 27 after the contrast agent injection, the B-mode image is stored. Is not affected by the brightness enhancement by the contrast agent, so that the harmonic B-mode image can be easily understood.

  Next, a case where only the B mode image is displayed on the screen (normal B mode) will be described. First, when displaying only the B-mode image on the screen, the operator presses a predetermined key on the keyboard of the input unit 11 corresponding thereto. Thereby, the input unit 11 supplies a command for displaying only the B-mode image on the screen to the control unit 13.

  When the command is supplied from the input unit 11, the control unit 13 switches the switch 17 a to a side that does not pass the transmission BPF 17 and switches the switch 23 a to a side that does not pass the AGC 23. In this state, the control unit 13 applies a voltage to the ultrasonic probe 3 from the transmission unit 15 to the ultrasonic probe 3 via the transmission BPF 17.

  When a voltage is applied, the ultrasonic probe 3 transmits an ultrasonic wave, receives the reflected wave, converts it into a reflected wave signal, and supplies it to the receiving unit 19.

  The receiving unit 19 supplies the reflected wave signal supplied from the ultrasonic probe 3 to the receiving BPF 21 and the AGC 23 side. At this time, the receiving BPF 21 is in a non-operating state (electrically open state) according to a command from the control unit 13. Further, since the switch 23a is switched to the side not passing through the AGC 23, as a result, the receiving unit 19 supplies the reflected wave signal supplied from the ultrasonic probe 3 to the DSC 25.

  When the reflected wave signal is supplied from the receiving unit 19, the DSC 25 converts the reflected wave signal into an image signal and stores it in the image memory 29.

  Next, the image switching unit 35 reads out the B-mode image signal from the image memory 29 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13 and temporarily stores it in the memory, and then supplies the B-mode image signal to the display unit 9. Thereby, the display unit 9 displays the B-mode image on the screen.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays the harmonic B mode image and the B mode image individually by switching the screen, and displays the harmonic B mode image and the B mode image so as to overlap each other. Alternatively, since the harmonic B-mode image and the B-mode image are divided and displayed on one screen, the harmonic component image signal can be used effectively. In addition, when displaying the harmonic B mode image on the screen, the harmonic mark indicating that the harmonic B mode image is displayed at a predetermined position of the harmonic B mode image, the harmonic B mode image is displayed. Is clearly understood, and the image signal of the harmonic component can be used effectively.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the harmonic B mode image and the B mode image are displayed on the screen has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other modes other than the B mode image.

  Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may be applied to the Doppler mode using the ultrasonic Doppler method. At this time, the image switching unit 35 may automatically switch the flow velocity range in conjunction with the switching of the harmonic Doppler image or the conventional Doppler image.

  Further, when the sample mark indicating the region of interest (ROI) and the sampling position can be set on the screen from the input unit 11 via the control unit 13 and the scan conversion unit 7, the image processing unit 33 is harmonically connected. If the B mode image and the B mode image are set in advance so as to change the display method as shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the B mode image and the harmonic B mode image can be clearly understood.

  Further, when a harmonic B mode image is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9, as shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic transmission frequency f0 (for example, 2.5 MHz) and the harmonic frequency fh (transmission frequency f0) at desired positions. If the control unit 13 is set in advance so as to display a frequency more than twice (for example, 5 MHz) at the same time, the transmission frequency f0 and the harmonic frequency fh can be known. This may be one that displays the transmission frequency f0 and the harmonic frequency range as shown in FIG. Further, the harmonic center frequency and the harmonic frequency range may be switched. The effect of the present invention is not lost even when the AGC 23 is not provided.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. Explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display in the case of switching a screen and displaying a harmonic B mode image and a B mode image separately. Explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display in the case of displaying a harmonic B mode image and a B mode image so that it may overlap in one screen. Explanatory drawing which showed the case where a harmonic B mode image and a B mode image are divided | segmented and displayed on one screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the example in the case of distinguishing and displaying a B mode image and a B mode image. Explanatory drawing which shows the example at the time of displaying the transmission frequency of an ultrasonic wave, and the frequency of a harmonic on a screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the example at the time of displaying the frequency of a harmonic with a frequency width.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 Ultrasonic probe 5 Transmission / reception part 7 Scan conversion part 9 Display part 11 Input part 13 Control part 15 Transmission part 17 BPF for transmission
17a, 23a switch 19 receiver 21 reception BPF
23 AGC
25 DSC
27 Harmonic Image Memory 29 Image Memory 31 Harmonic Mark Memory 33 Image Processing Unit 35 Image Switching Unit

Claims (3)

Transmitting / receiving means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject and converting reflected echoes from the subject into reflected wave signals;
Harmonic component extraction means for extracting a harmonic component included in a band higher than the fundamental wave band of the transmitted ultrasonic wave from the reflected wave signal;
A signal adjusting means for performing an amplification process or an attenuation process on at least one of a signal based on a fundamental wave component included in a band including at least the fundamental wave band and a signal based on the harmonic component of the reflected wave signal;
Based on the output from the signal adjusting means, the fundamental wave component image signal and the harmonic component image signal are individually displayed by switching the screen, the fundamental wave component image signal and the harmonic component image signal, and An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display one of a plurality of image signals superimposed on a single screen, or to divide and display the image signal of the fundamental wave component and the image signal of a harmonic component on a single screen. The signal adjusting means includes
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amplification process or the attenuation process is performed so that the intensity of the signal based on the fundamental wave component and the intensity of the signal based on the harmonic component approach each other. Of the reflected wave signal, a fundamental wave component included in a band including at least the fundamental wave band, and a conversion unit that converts each of the harmonic component into an image signal,
First holding means for temporarily holding image signals of the fundamental wave components sequentially transmitted from the conversion means;
Second holding means for temporarily holding image signals of the harmonic components sequentially transmitted from the converting means;
Further including
The display means includes
The display is performed based on the image signal of the fundamental wave component temporarily held in the first holding unit and the image signal of the harmonic component temporarily held in the second holding unit. Item 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Item 1.

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