JP2006346477A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, improved in operability of a puncture. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasonic endoscope inserted in the body cavity and having a bioptic needle at the tip. In the endoscope, it is determined whether or not an image of a bioptic needle exists on an ultrasonic diagnostic image, and when the bioptic needle is determined to exist, the advance angle of the bioptic needle advancing on the ultrasonic diagnostic image is calculated, and guide information corresponding to the advance angle of the bioptic needle is generated based upon the calculated advance angle of the bioptic needle to be superposed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image. In determining the presence/absence of the bioptic needle, it is determined depending on whether or not a rectilinear ultrasonic echo signal longer than a predetermined length exists. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining an ultrasound diagnostic image by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals to and from a subject in a body cavity and puncturing the subject with a biopsy needle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used for observing in vivo tissues and blood flow dynamics. In general, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus mainly includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from an observation site in a living body and a diagnostic apparatus main body to which the probe is connected. In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when extracting a body fluid or cells of a subject to be observed, a biopsy needle for puncturing the subject is used. The biopsy needle is generally attached to an adapter that is detachably attached to the probe. In an apparatus equipped with this biopsy needle, for example, when performing puncturing while observing a B-mode image, a biopsy guide indicating the insertion direction of the biopsy needle with respect to a desired observation site is displayed on the monitor screen. There is something to display.

  As a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying such a biopsy guide, there are those described in JP-A-3-173542 and JP-A-5-176922.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in JP-A-3-173542, it is assumed that the operator can visually identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle based on the guide groove provided in the puncture adapter. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-176922 shows an allowable error in the direction in which the biopsy needle should advance when a part to be biopsied is specified by two lines. . The operator says that a biopsy can be facilitated by placing a biopsy needle in a direction that matches the set biopsy guide and inserting it. However, the present invention is also based on the premise that the operator can visually identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle. Accordingly, both Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 3-173542 and 5-176922 require that the operator can visually identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle, so that it is assumed that the probe is an external ultrasonic probe. It becomes. Here, when changing the direction in which the biopsy needle comes out after being inserted into the body cavity of a living body like an ultrasonic endoscope, the operator could not visually identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle. .

  That is, the invention of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in JP-A-3-173542 and JP-A-5-176922 cannot be applied to an ultrasonic endoscope.

  Of the techniques for displaying the biopsy needle travel direction and biopsy needle position on the ultrasonic diagnostic image with figures and marks, those applicable to an ultrasonic endoscope are disclosed in JP-A-8-299344 and JP-A-8. No. 229042 and JP-A-9-271472.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-299344 describes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that matches the advancing angle of a biopsy needle with the display direction of a biopsy guide.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 8-229042 and Hei 9-271472 describe techniques for detecting and displaying the tip position of a biopsy needle on an ultrasonic tomography.

  However, such a conventional apparatus that obtains an ultrasonic diagnostic image and enables the use of a biopsy needle cannot display the position where the biopsy needle finally arrives, and the operator can use the biopsy needle with peace of mind. We could not perform inspection.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that improves the operability of puncture.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, and a biopsy needle that is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion so as to be able to advance and retract. An ultrasonic diagnostic image generating means for generating an ultrasonic diagnostic image based on an ultrasonic echo signal from an ultrasonic endoscope for transmitting and receiving a sound wave and performing ultrasonic scanning to acquire an ultrasonic echo signal from the subject; Biopsy needle detection means for determining whether an image of the biopsy needle in the ultrasonic endoscope is present on the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation means; and the biopsy needle In the detection means, when it is determined that the biopsy needle image is present on the ultrasonic diagnostic image, biopsy needle advance angle calculation means for calculating the advance angle of the biopsy needle that advances on the ultrasonic diagnostic image; and In biopsy needle advance angle calculation means Based on the calculated biopsy needle advancement angle, biopsy needle guide information generating means for generating guide information according to the advancement angle of the biopsy needle, and biopsy needle guide information generated by the biopsy needle guide information generation means as the ultrasonic wave And biopsy needle guide information superimposing means for superimposing on the diagnostic image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which improves the operativity of puncture can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 6 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. Is an explanatory view showing the adjustment limit of the angle variable device at the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope, FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit and the biopsy needle, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second display example of an image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a monitor.

(Constitution)
First, the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11, and a monitor 12, and transmits and receives ultrasonic signals to and from a subject in a body cavity. By doing so, an ultrasonic diagnostic image is obtained.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 21 that is inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 22, and a connection cord 23.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an ultrasonic probe 25 and a biopsy needle protrusion 26 at the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 2 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11, and transmits / receives ultrasonic signals to / from a living body by the ultrasonic probe 25.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 11 controls the ultrasonic probe 25 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 and processes a signal obtained from the ultrasonic probe 25, and performs an ultrasonic diagnostic image by a known technique. Is generated and displayed on the monitor 12.

  The biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 3 is attached to the operation unit 22 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2. The biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 3 is used to advance and retract the biopsy needle 4 back and forth. The biopsy needle 4 is inserted through the insertion portion 21 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 from the biopsy needle advancement / retraction portion 3, the needle tip protrudes from the biopsy needle protrusion 26 of the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21, and punctures the subject. It is supposed to be.

  The monitor 12 displays an image corresponding to the ultrasonic diagnostic image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 11. In this case, the monitor 12 serves as display means for displaying the biopsy needle 4 on the ultrasonic diagnostic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 11 is a superimposing means for superimposing the puncture direction advance limit of the biopsy needle 4 on the display of the monitor 12.

  Next, the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  An ultrasonic probe 25 and a biopsy needle protrusion 26 are provided at the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2.

  An angle variable device 27 for adjusting the angle at which the biopsy needle 4 exits from the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is provided behind the biopsy needle protrusion 26. In this case, the angle variable device 27 is attached so as to be rotatable by a rotation shaft 28 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21. Further, the angle variable device 27 is configured to rotate between one and the other adjustment limit positions by the operation of the operation unit 22 shown in FIG.

  Here, in FIG. 2, a case where the biopsy needle 4 protrudes from the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 at one adjustment limit position of the angle variable device 27 is represented by a solid line. The broken line indicates the position when the biopsy needle 4 is at the other adjustment limit position.

  The angle variable device 27 and the biopsy needle 4 are in a state where the angle is the smallest with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 at one adjustment limit position. In this case, the angle at which the biopsy needle 4 exits from the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is determined by the type of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 and is a known amount.

  In FIG. 3, the solid line represents the case where the biopsy needle 4 protrudes from the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 at the other adjustment limit position of the angle variable device 27. The broken line indicates the position of the biopsy needle 4 at one adjustment limit position. The angle variable device 27 and the biopsy needle 4 are in the state where the angle is the largest with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 at the other adjustment limit position. Also at this time, the angle at which the biopsy needle 4 exits from the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is a known amount.

  With such a structure, the angle variable device 27 is provided in the insertion portion 21 and serves as changing means for changing the puncture direction of the biopsy needle 4 by moving.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11 superimposes the moving range of the angle variable device 27 on the ultrasonic diagnostic image of the monitor 12.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 3 and the biopsy needle 4.
The biopsy needle advance / retreat portion 3 is composed of a biopsy needle advance / retreat portion exterior 31 and a piston portion 32. The biopsy needle 4 is attached to the piston portion 32 and has a structure that moves forward and backward as the piston portion 32 moves back and forth.

  When the biopsy needle advancement / retraction portion 3 is attached to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 shown in FIG. 1, when the operator pushes the piston portion 32, the biopsy needle 4 protrudes from the distal end portion 24 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2. To do.

  4 shows the simplest configuration example of the biopsy needle advancement / retraction unit 3. However, the biopsy needle advancement / retraction unit 3 is not limited to the biopsy needle advancement / retraction unit having the configuration shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a biopsy needle advance / retreat portion with a stopper for preventing the push-in operation and a biopsy needle advance / retreat portion in which the piston moves forward by a stroke set in advance by a button operation.

(Function)
FIG. 5 shows a display example of an image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11 to the monitor 12.

In FIG. 5, a fan-shaped ultrasonic diagnostic image 14 is displayed on the screen 13 of the monitor 12. The biopsy needle image 10 is an ultrasound image corresponding to the biopsy needle 4 displayed on the ultrasound diagnostic image 14, and is displayed as a linear high-intensity echo. The biopsy guide 15 can be arbitrarily selected to be displayed or not displayed. When the display is selected by a changeover switch (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11, the biopsy guide 15 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image 14. The The biopsy guide 15 is composed of biopsy guidelines 16 and 17. The biopsy guideline 16 has a direction in which the biopsy needle image 10 is displayed on the ultrasound diagnostic image 14 when the angle variable device 27 of the ultrasound endoscope 2 is at one adjustment limit position as shown in FIG. Match. As described above, when the type of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is determined, the angle at which the biopsy needle 4 is output when the angle variable device 27 is at one adjustment limit position is a known amount, and therefore coincides with the direction. The biopsy guideline 16 may be displayed in the direction. In the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 11, the means for specifying the type of the connected ultrasonic endoscope 2 can be easily performed using a known technique. Similarly, in the biopsy guideline 17, the direction in which the biopsy needle image 10 is displayed on the ultrasound diagnostic image 14 when the angle variable device 27 of the ultrasound endoscope 2 shown in FIG. Match. Therefore, the biopsy needle image 10 is always displayed inside the area surrounded by the biopsy guidelines 16 and 17.
Also, since the piston portion 32 of the biopsy needle advancement / retraction portion 3 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed.

  Further, as an alternative to the display of the scale 18 or in combination, as shown in FIG. 6, dot marks 19 may be displayed at predetermined intervals within a range surrounded by the biopsy guidelines 16 and 17. Displaying the dot mark 19 makes it easier for the operator to recognize the length of the biopsy needle image 10 even when the biopsy needle image 10 is away from the biopsy guide lines 16 and 17.

(effect)
According to the first embodiment, since the limit of the puncture direction of the biopsy needle can be displayed by displaying the biopsy needle final arrival position 20 on the ultrasonic diagnostic image 14, the operability of puncture is improved. The operator can perform a biopsy with a biopsy needle with peace of mind.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, even when the operator cannot directly visually identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle as in an ultrasonic endoscope, the operator can display the biopsy needle by displaying the biopsy guide 15. Since the range in which the advancing can be visually recognized, a biopsy can be performed with peace of mind.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the scale 18 shown in FIG. 5 and the dot mark 19 shown in FIG. 6 are displayed, so that the progression length is no matter where the biopsy needle advances within the range of the biopsy guide. It becomes easy to confirm.

(Second Embodiment)
7 and 8 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a display example of an image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a monitor. It is explanatory drawing shown. In the description of FIGS. 7 and 8, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 7, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 5 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 6, a biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 7, and a monitor 12.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 6 shows an example that can be combined with a biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 7 having a mechanism for detecting the maximum protrusion amount of the biopsy needle 4.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 6 includes a maximum protrusion amount detection unit 61, a biopsy guide display generation unit 62, an ultrasonic image generation unit 63, and a synthesis processing unit 64.

  The biopsy needle advance / retreat part 7 is composed of a biopsy needle advance / retreat part exterior 71, a piston part 72, and a stopper 73. The biopsy needle 4 is attached to the piston portion 72.

  A stopper 73 is attached to the base end side of the biopsy needle advance / retreat portion exterior 71 in a state where the position can be adjusted. The stopper 73 is for preventing the piston portion 72 from being pushed in more than a preset stroke by position adjustment.

  A sensor 74 is built in the stopper 73. The sensor 74 outputs data corresponding to the fixed position of the stopper 73 to the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 6.

  The sensor 74 is constituted by, for example, an encoder, which converts and outputs the amount of movement of the stopper 73 in the front-rear direction into the number of pulses, or the resistance value of the variable resistor changes as the stopper 73 moves back and forth. A magnet that measures the distance from the end of the piston portion 72 by detecting the strength of the magnet formed by detecting the potential difference between the two ends of the magnet, or converting it into a moving amount, or the magnet embedded in one end of the piston portion 72 A sensor or the like can be used.

  Data output from the sensor 74 is input to the maximum protrusion amount detection unit 61 inside the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 6. The maximum protrusion amount detection unit 61 detects the set position of the stopper 73, that is, the maximum protrusion amount based on the data from the sensor 74.

  Data of the detection result of the maximum protrusion amount detection unit 61 is sent to the biopsy guide display generation unit 62. The biopsy guide display generation unit 62 generates an image of a biopsy guide with a biopsy needle final reaching position, which will be described later, based on data from the maximum protrusion amount detection unit 61.

  The ultrasonic image generation unit 63 processes a signal obtained from the ultrasonic endoscope 2, generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image by a known technique, and outputs the ultrasonic diagnostic image to the synthesis processing unit 64.

  The image of the biopsy guide with the biopsy needle final arrival position by the biopsy guide display generation unit 62 is combined with the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic image generation unit 63 in the synthesis processing unit 64 and displayed on the monitor 12. Is done.

(Function)
FIG. 8 shows a display example of a biopsy guide with a biopsy needle final position.
As shown in FIG. 8, a biopsy guide 15 is displayed on the ultrasound diagnostic image 14 on the screen 13 of the monitor 12, and a biopsy needle final arrival position 70 that is the puncture direction advance limit is further displayed. The biopsy needle final arrival position 70 is displayed as an arc-shaped dotted line or a solid line.

  When the operator changes the position of the stopper 73 of the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 7, the position of the stopper 73 is detected by the above configuration, and the biopsy needle final arrival position 70 is updated in conjunction with the movement of the stopper 73.

(effect)
According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be obtained, and also in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 5 that can change the stop position of the biopsy needle 4. The position where the biopsy needle 4 finally arrives can be displayed in conjunction with the stopper 73 serving as a stop mechanism of the mechanism biopsy needle 4.

  The biopsy guides according to the first and second embodiments are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, and the solid line may be replaced with a dotted line or a broken line.

(Third embodiment)
By the way, when the direction in which the biopsy needle comes out is changed after being inserted into the body cavity of a living body like an ultrasonic endoscope, the operator cannot directly identify the advancing direction of the biopsy needle by visual observation. Conventionally, there is no biopsy guide display indicating the protruding direction with respect to the biopsy needle in which the operator cannot specify the traveling direction, such as an ultrasonic endoscope. Therefore, conventionally, an operator of an ultrasonic endoscope has no means of knowing from which direction the biopsy needle comes out, and has not been able to perform a biopsy with peace of mind.

The third embodiment addresses such a problem.
9 to 11 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 10 shows a first image output to the monitor by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second display example of an image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a monitor. In the description of FIGS. 9 to 11, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Further, parts not shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 9, the ultrasonic endoscope 9 has a built-in angle output unit (not shown) for outputting the set angle of the angle variable device 27 shown in FIG. The angle output unit is configured integrally or separately from the angle variable device 27 of the distal end portion 24 of the endoscope 2 shown in FIG. 2, and outputs a set angle as a pulse output by an encoder, a resistance value change by a variable resistor, or the like. It is like that.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100 includes an angle detection unit 101, a biopsy guide display generation unit 102, an ultrasonic image generation unit 103, and a synthesis processing unit 104.

  Data output from the angle output unit is sent to the angle detection unit 101 of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100. The angle detector 101 calculates the angle of the angle variable device 27 based on the data sent from the angle output unit. The angle of the angle variable device 27 calculated by the angle detection unit 101 is sent to the biopsy guide display generation unit 102. The biopsy guide display generation unit 102 generates a biopsy guide to be described later.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic echoes of the ultrasonic endoscope 9 are sent to the ultrasonic image generation unit 103 of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100. The ultrasonic image generation unit 103 generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image by the transmitted ultrasonic echo. In the synthesis processing unit 104, the ultrasound diagnostic image generated by the ultrasound image generation unit 103 and the biopsy guide generated by the biopsy guide display generation unit 102 are combined and output to the monitor 12.

(Function)
FIG. 10 shows an example of an image that the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100 outputs to the monitor 12.

  As described above, since the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100 detects the angle of the angle changer 27 of the ultrasonic endoscope 9, the biopsy guide 85 displayed on the monitor 12 is the biopsy needle image 80. It is displayed in the same direction as the direction of travel.

  When the operator changes the angle of the angle variable device 27, the orientation of the biopsy guide 85 changes, for example, as shown in FIG. The interval between the biopsy guidelines 86 and 87 is determined in consideration of the accuracy of the angle output unit built in the ultrasonic endoscope 9 and the calculation error in the angle detection unit 101. In general, the width of the biopsy needle image 80 is displayed several times to 10 times. Further, if necessary, the dot marks 89 may be displayed at a predetermined interval.

(effect)
As described above, according to the third embodiment, since it is possible to display a biopsy guide in a direction that coincides with the advancing direction of the biopsy needle, the operator of the ultrasonic endoscope can proceed. When using a biopsy needle whose direction can be changed, the biopsy guide 85 displayed on the monitor 12 can surely know the direction from which the biopsy needle comes out, and the biopsy can be performed with confidence.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the description of FIG. 12, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 12, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 111 displays a biopsy guide that matches the advancing direction of the biopsy needle when combined with the ultrasonic endoscope 2 that does not have an angle output unit that outputs the angle of the angle variable device. It is possible to do.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 120 includes a biopsy needle angle detection unit 121, a biopsy guide display generation unit 122, an ultrasonic image generation unit 123, and a synthesis processing unit 124.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 120 generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image in the ultrasonic image generation unit 123 based on the ultrasonic echo from the ultrasonic endoscope 2. The biopsy needle angle detection unit 121 calculates the direction of the biopsy needle based on the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic image generation unit 123 as follows.

(Function)
When there is a biopsy needle on the ultrasonic diagnostic image, the biopsy needle is displayed as a linear high-intensity echo as shown in the biopsy needle image 10 of FIG. The biopsy needle angle detection unit 121 detects the presence or absence of a linear high-intensity echo that is longer than a predetermined length by image processing.

  Here, in the biopsy needle angle detection unit 121, the length of the linear echo that is a criterion for the presence / absence of the biopsy needle image is defined in advance to about 1 cm. The length can be arbitrarily set by the operator using a switch (not shown) on the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 120.

  When the biopsy needle angle detection unit 121 does not detect a linear echo longer than a reference length, it is determined that the biopsy needle is not displayed. As a result, the biopsy guide display generating unit 122 displays the biopsy guide 15 having the biopsy needle angle adjustment limit positions in the biopsy guide lines 16 and 17 on both ends as shown in FIG. When the biopsy needle angle detection unit 121 detects a linear echo longer than a reference length, it is determined that there is a biopsy needle on the ultrasonic diagnostic image, and the calculation result of the angle information is sent to the biopsy guide display generation unit 122. Sent. The biopsy guide display generation unit 122 displays the biopsy guide on the monitor after the biopsy needle angle calculation information is sent. The biopsy guide display generation of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The configuration is the same as that of the unit 102. Therefore, the biopsy guide displayed on the monitor 12 is the same as in FIG.

(effect)
According to the fourth embodiment, even when the ultrasonic endoscope does not have an angle output unit that outputs the angle of the angle changer, the operator monitors in which direction the biopsy needle punctures. The biopsy guide displayed at 12 can be known, and the biopsy can be performed with peace of mind.

(Fifth embodiment)
By the way, the puncture ultrasonic probe described in JP-A-8-229042 and the puncture needle position detection apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in JP-A-9-271472 detect and display the tip position of a biopsy needle. This invention relates to the invention to be performed. With these devices, the tip position of the biopsy needle can be specified, but the operator himself has to be careful to avoid blood vessels, and biopsy cannot be performed with peace of mind.

The fifth embodiment addresses such a problem.
FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 14 is a display example of an image output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a monitor. It is explanatory drawing shown. In the description of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 13, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 131 has a function of stopping the biopsy needle 4.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 140 includes an ultrasonic image generation unit 141, a blood flow position detection unit 142, a memory 143, a comparison unit 144, a needle position detection unit 145, and a needle stop signal generation unit 146. Has been.

  The biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 150 includes a biopsy needle advance / retreat part exterior 151, a piston part 152, and a needle stop mechanism 153.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 140 outputs a needle stop signal from the needle stop signal generation unit 146 by a method described later. The needle stop mechanism 153 of the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 150 receives the needle stop signal from the needle stop signal generation unit 146. The needle stop mechanism 153 that has received the needle stop signal locks the biopsy needle advance / retreat portion exterior 151 so as not to move in the direction in which the piston portion 152 is pushed further. The biopsy needle advancing / retreating portion 150 prevents the biopsy needle 4 from protruding further by the needle stop mechanism 153 locking the piston portion 152.

(Function)
Next, a method for generating a needle stop signal will be described. ◎
The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 140 has a Doppler function like a general ultrasonic diagnostic device, and turns on the Doppler function when generating a needle stop signal.

  When the Doppler function of the ultrasound diagnostic signal processing apparatus 140 is turned on, the ultrasound image generation unit 141 displays the Doppler cursor 160 on the monitor 12 based on the signal from the ultrasound endoscope 2 as shown in FIG. At the same time, when blood flow is detected, blood flow information 161 is displayed. In the blood flow position detection unit 142 of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 140, the position data where the Doppler signal is detected by the ultrasonic image generation unit 141 is stored in the memory 143, and every time the position where the Doppler signal is detected changes. The position data stored in 143 is updated. In the needle position detection unit 145, a linear high-intensity echo peculiar to the biopsy needle image 10 in which the biopsy needle 4 is depicted on the ultrasonic diagnostic image 14 is detected from the ultrasonic diagnostic image of the ultrasonic image generation unit 141 by image processing. The position corresponding to the tip of the biopsy needle 4 is calculated. The comparison unit 144 compares the tip position data of the biopsy needle 4 calculated by the needle position detection unit 145 with the position data of the blood clot stored in the memory 143.

  In the comparison unit 144, an approach avoidance distance that is a criterion for determining the degree of approach between the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 and the blood flow position is determined, and the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 and the blood flow position approach within the approach migration distance. If so, the needle stop signal generator 146 outputs a needle stop signal. Thereby, the needle stop mechanism 153 locks and stops the biopsy needle 4. In this case, the approach migration distance is set to about 1 cm in advance, and the operator can arbitrarily change it by a switch (not shown) on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In FIG. 14, the biopsy guide 15 is also displayed at the same time. However, the biopsy guide 15 is not always necessary, and the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 140 may not have a biopsy guide display function.

(effect)
According to the fifth embodiment, when blood flow is detected, blood flow information 161 is displayed, and when the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 and the blood flow position are close to each other within the approaching migration distance, Since the meter reading 4 is stopped, a biopsy can be performed with peace of mind.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 15, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 171 shows a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of stopping the biopsy needle 4.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 180 includes an ultrasonic image generation unit 181, a blood flow position detection unit 182, a memory 183, a comparison unit 184, a needle position detection unit 185, a needle stop signal generation unit 186, and an angle detection unit 187. The needle protrusion amount detection unit 188 is configured.

  The biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 190 includes a biopsy needle advance / retreat unit exterior 191, a piston part 192, a needle stop mechanism 193, and a protrusion amount output part 194.

  The function of the needle stop mechanism 193 is the same as that of the needle stop mechanism 153 in the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 150 of FIG. The protrusion amount output unit 194 outputs data corresponding to the advance / retreat position of the piston part 192 relative to the biopsy needle advance / retreat part exterior 191 based on a pulse output from the encoder, a variable resistance value by a variable resistor, or a magnetic strength by a magnetic sensor. Is.

(Function)
The angle detection mechanism by the combination of the ultrasonic endoscope 9 and the angle detection unit 187 is the same as the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The needle protrusion amount detection unit 188 calculates the protrusion amount of the biopsy needle 4 in real time based on the position data of the piston portion 192 obtained from the protrusion amount output unit 194.

  The needle position detection unit 185 determines the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 based on the protrusion amount of the biopsy needle 4 calculated by the needle protrusion amount detection unit 188 and the angle variable angle obtained by the angle detection unit 187. calculate. The blood flow position detection unit 182 detects the blood flow position, the blood flow position data is stored in the memory 183, and the comparison unit 184 compares the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 with the blood flow position from the needle stop signal generation unit 186. The configuration for transmitting the needle stop signal to the needle stop mechanism 193 of the biopsy needle advance / retreat unit 190 is the same as the configuration described in the ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing device 140 of FIG.

(effect)
According to the sixth embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the tip position of the biopsy needle 4 and the blood flow position are approaching within the approaching migration distance, Since the biopsy needle 4 is stopped, the biopsy can be performed with peace of mind.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 is not limited to an ultrasonic endoscope, and may be combined with an external ultrasonic probe.

[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(Additional Item 1) Ultrasound is performed by performing ultrasound scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasound from the ultrasound probe to the subject, and displaying the echo signal from the subject as an ultrasound diagnostic image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
An angle detecting means for detecting a progress angle at which the biopsy needle travels on the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: means for displaying a biopsy guide on the ultrasound diagnostic image that matches the direction of travel of the biopsy needle based on biopsy needle travel direction information from the angle detection means .

(Additional Item 2) The angle detection means includes:
The ultrasonic diagnosis based on the protrusion angle information from the detector that detects the protrusion angle set by the angle variable means of the ultrasonic probe provided with the angle variable means for changing the protrusion angle of the biopsy needle. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is calculated by a traveling angle calculation unit included in the apparatus.

(Additional Item 3) The angle detection means includes:
The angle calculation unit provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus searches for a linear echo having a predetermined length or more from the ultrasonic diagnostic image, and calculates the direction of the linear echo as the angle of the biopsy needle. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized.

(Additional Item 4) Ultrasound is performed by performing ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe to the subject, and displaying the echo signal from the subject as an ultrasonic diagnostic image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
A blood flow position detecting means for detecting a blood flow position on the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
Needle position detecting means for detecting a needle tip position of a biopsy needle on the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
Comparing means for comparing the blood flow position from the blood flow position detection means and the needle tip position from the needle position detection means,
A biopsy needle provided with means for preventing the biopsy needle from proceeding further when a stop signal is received when it is determined in the comparison means that the blood flow position and the needle tip position are within a predetermined distance. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that outputs the stop signal to an advance / retreat unit.

(Additional Item 5) The needle position detection means includes:
Finding a linear echo of a predetermined length or more from the ultrasonic diagnostic image,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a tip of the linear echo is calculated as a needle tip position.

(Additional Item 6) The needle position detection means includes:
Protrusion angle information from a detector that detects the protrusion angle set by the angle variable means of an ultrasonic probe that includes an angle variable means for changing the protrusion angle of the biopsy needle, and a bio that advances and retracts the biopsy needle A tip position of the biopsy needle is calculated based on advance / retreat length information from a detection unit provided in the meter advance / retreat section and detecting the advance / retreat length of the biopsy needle at the biopsy needle advance / retreat section. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the adjustment limit of the angle variable device of the front-end | tip part of the ultrasonic endoscope which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the structural example of the biopsy needle advance / retreat part and biopsy needle which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. Explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. Explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the image which the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention outputs to a monitor. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 ... Ultrasound endoscope 11 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic signal processing apparatus 21 ... Insertion part 24 ... Tip part 25 ... Ultrasonic probe 26 ... Biopsy needle protrusion 27 ... Angle variable device

Claims (2)

It has an insertion part to be inserted into a body cavity and a biopsy needle provided at the distal end of the insertion part so as to be able to advance and retreat, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe to the subject to perform ultrasonic scanning. An ultrasonic diagnostic image generating means for generating an ultrasonic diagnostic image based on an ultrasonic echo signal from an ultrasonic endoscope for obtaining an ultrasonic echo signal from the subject;
A biopsy needle detecting means for determining whether or not an image of the biopsy needle in the ultrasonic endoscope exists on the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic image generating means;
When the biopsy needle detection means determines that the biopsy needle image is present on the ultrasound diagnostic image, a biopsy needle advance angle calculation means calculates the advance angle of the biopsy needle that proceeds on the ultrasound diagnostic image. When,
Biopsy needle guide information generating means for generating guide information according to the progress angle of the biopsy needle based on the biopsy needle advance angle calculated by the biopsy needle advance angle calculating means;
Biopsy needle guide information superimposing means for superimposing biopsy needle guide information generated in the biopsy needle guide information generating means on the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The biopsy needle detecting unit determines whether or not a linear ultrasonic echo signal having a predetermined length or more exists on the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic image generating unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein presence / absence of a meter-reading image is determined.

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