JP2007325786A - Ultrasonograph, and ultrasonic image display method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the quality of a three-dimensional image and a four-dimensional image to be displayed in an ultrasonograph. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonograph 10 is provided with a boundary line specification section 21 specifying a boundary line based on a piece of two-dimensional image data, a focus point computing section 22 computing the focus point for every scanning line based on the boundary line specified by the boundary line specification section 21, and a display processing section 27 generating a plurality of two-dimensional image data based on scanning line data generated by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an area including an object site based on the focus point for every scanning line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for generating three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target region and displaying the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, and in particular, a changed focus. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image display method, and an ultrasonic image display program for displaying three-dimensional image data generated based on a point (focal point) as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses an ultrasonic wave to generate an ultrasonic image related to a target region and display the ultrasonic image.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an electrical delay is applied in accordance with a difference in time of propagation from the ultrasonic transducer included in the ultrasonic probe to the focus point. In other words, since the ultrasonic transducer at the aperture end in transmission has a long distance to the focal point, an electrical pulse is applied quickly to the ultrasonic transducer at the aperture end, while the ultrasonic transducer at the center of the aperture is connected to the aperture end. It is applied late compared. In addition, the ultrasonic signal from the focal point during reception is detected early by the ultrasonic transducer at the center of the aperture, but late by the ultrasonic transducer at the aperture end. In order to align the detection of the ultrasonic signal by the position in the opening in terms of time, the ultrasonic transducer at the center of the opening is added with a delay. As a result, a reception beam is formed.

  In general, when forming a focus point in transmission beam forming, the beam width can be narrowed near the focus point, but the beam width is widened at a depth position far from the focus point. Further, if it is attempted to form n (n: positive integer) focus points, transmission of ultrasonic waves is required n times, and the frame rate becomes 1 / n.

  On the other hand, in reception beam forming, the reception focus point can be dynamically moved by changing the delay time applied to the reception signal from each ultrasonic transducer according to the time from the transmission time (dynamic focus). For this reason, in receive beamforming, a plurality of focus points can be electronically formed in accordance with a plurality of depth positions without reducing the frame rate. Recently, a digital ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that converts a received signal into a digital signal and applies a delay has been put into practical use. When this digital ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used, it takes advantage of the characteristics of digital signal processing at intervals of 1 mm or less. The focus point can be controlled with high precision in the depth direction, and a higher-resolution ultrasonic image can be acquired.

  Therefore, an ultrasonic image to be acquired by transmitting a relatively wide ultrasonic beam and performing each beam forming so as to receive a reception beam forming a plurality of focus points within a range covered by the transmission beam. Satisfied with the real-time nature.

  In addition, the ultrasonic image displayed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is mainly a two-dimensional (2D: 2 Dimension) tomographic image of an object to be imaged, but a three-dimensional (3D: 3 Dimension) image is displayed on a 2D monitor in a pseudo manner. 3D display is also known. Generally, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and a liquid crystal display panel can perform only 2D display. In order to display a 3D image using the display device, the 3D image is displayed as a 2D image. Algorithm (rendering) is required. A typical rendering is surface rendering. In addition, a four-dimensional (4D: 4 Dimension) display that displays a 3D image as a moving image is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, there has been proposed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that aims to secure a display area and improve the quality of a displayed 3D image when there is a motion in an imaging target (for example, Patent Document 2). reference.).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-85216 JP-A-2005-427

  However, according to a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a relatively high resolution 3D image or 4D image can be generated and displayed in substantially real time by dynamic focusing. However, depending on a focus point formed by transmission beamforming, a 3D image or 4D image can be displayed. Image resolution is reduced. In particular, when observing the surface of the fetus, it may be difficult to identify the details of the target region, which hinders diagnosis.

  On the other hand, if a plurality of focus points are generated by transmission beam forming with an emphasis on resolution, the frame rate is lowered and the real-time property is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image display method, and an ultrasonic image display program capable of improving the quality of displayed 3D images and 4D images. The purpose is to do.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data relating to a target part, as described in claim 1 to solve the above-described problem, and the three-dimensional In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, a boundary line specifying unit that specifies a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data, and the boundary line specifying unit that is specified by the boundary line specifying unit A focus point calculation unit that calculates a focus point for each scanning line from a boundary line, and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to and received from the region including the target portion based on the focus point for each scanning line, and the plurality of two-dimensional image data is And an image generation unit for generation.

  Moreover, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part, as described in claim 2 in order to solve the above-described problem, In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, a boundary line specifying unit that specifies a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, and each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data Further, a focus point calculation unit that calculates a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit, and a focus point for each scanning line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data. An image generation unit configured to generate and transmit the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the region including the target region.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the ultrasonic image display method according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part, as described in claim 7, In an ultrasonic image display method for displaying three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, a boundary line specifying step for specifying a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data, and the boundary line specifying step are specified. A focus point calculating step of calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line, and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the region including the target portion based on the focus point for each scanning line, and the plurality of two-dimensional images And an image generation step for generating data.

  Moreover, the ultrasonic image display method according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part, as described in claim 8 in order to solve the above-described problem, In the ultrasonic image display method for displaying the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, a boundary line specifying step for specifying a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, and the plurality of two-dimensional images For each data, a focus point calculating step for calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying step, and for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, a focus point for each scanning line is calculated. And an image generation step of generating the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a region including the target region.

  An ultrasonic image display program according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data relating to a target part, as described in claim 9 to solve the above-described problem, A boundary line specifying function for specifying a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data on a computer that displays three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, and the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit Generating a plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a region including the target region based on the focus point for each scanning line Realize image generation function.

  Moreover, the ultrasonic image display program according to the present invention generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part as described in claim 10 in order to solve the above-described problem, A computer that displays the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image, a boundary line specifying function that specifies a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, and a plurality of the two-dimensional image data, A focus point calculation function for calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit, and the target based on the focus point for each scanning line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data An image generation function for generating the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the region including the part is realized.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic image display method, and the ultrasonic image display program according to the present invention, the quality of the displayed 3D image and 4D image can be improved.

  Embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image display method, and an ultrasonic image display program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, a case where the surface of a human fetus is used as an imaging target part will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is mainly composed of an ultrasonic probe 11 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 12. The ultrasonic probe 11 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 12 are connected to each other via a probe cable.

  The ultrasonic probe 11 arranges a plurality of ultrasonic transducers at the tip portion, and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves by bringing the tip portion into contact with the subject. The ultrasonic transducer is an electroacoustic transducer, and has a function of converting an electric pulse into an ultrasonic pulse when transmitting an ultrasonic wave and converting an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal when receiving an ultrasonic wave. Here, when the ultrasonic transducer is an ultrasonic probe arranged in 2D, scanning is performed electronically. On the other hand, when the ultrasonic transducer is an ultrasonic probe arranged 1D, scanning is mechanically performed.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 12 includes an input unit 20, a boundary line specifying unit 21, a focus point calculation unit 22, a transmission condition determination unit 23, an ultrasonic transmission unit 24, an ultrasonic reception unit 25, an image processing unit 26, and display processing. A unit 27, a boundary line display processing unit 28, a display unit 29, a 2D image memory 30, a 3D image processing unit 31, and a 3D image memory 32 are provided.

  The boundary line specifying unit 21 is based on a 2D image (described with reference to FIG. 3) generated by performing one transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for specifying the boundary line, or a volume indicator image (described with reference to FIG. 4). The boundary line is specified by the input signal input using the input unit 20. Alternatively, the boundary line specifying unit 21 specifies a boundary line by performing contour extraction or the like by well-known edge detection on 2D image data generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves once for boundary line specification. .

  Further, the boundary line specifying unit 21 corrects the boundary line input from the input unit 20 or the boundary line by contour extraction using a sound field, and outputs the corrected boundary line to the focus point calculation unit 22. May be.

  The focus point calculation unit 22 calculates a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit 21.

  The transmission condition determining unit 23 determines a transmission condition such as an aperture for each scanning line so as to form a relatively wide ultrasonic beam centered on the focus point calculated by the focus point calculating unit 22.

  The ultrasonic transmission unit 24 generates a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe 11 in accordance with the transmission condition determined by the transmission condition determination unit 23, and sends the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 11 via the probe cable. Send.

  The ultrasonic receiving unit 25 receives an echo signal based on an ultrasonic echo reflected from the imaging target and received by the ultrasonic probe 11. The ultrasonic reception unit 25 can dynamically move the reception focus point by changing the delay time applied to the reception signal from each ultrasonic transducer according to the time from the transmission time by reception beam forming ( Dynamic focus). For this reason, in receive beamforming, a plurality of focus points can be electronically formed in accordance with a plurality of depth positions without reducing the frame rate. The received signal may be converted into a digital signal and delayed.

  Further, the ultrasonic receiving unit 25 arranges a plurality of reception beam formers, and forms a plurality of different reception beams (scanning lines) within a range covered by the transmission beam. Therefore, the ultrasonic receiving unit 25 can simultaneously acquire ultrasonic images of a plurality of scanning lines.

  The image processing unit 26 includes at least one of a B mode processing unit 26a and a C mode processing unit 26b. The image processing unit 26 may include a D-mode processing unit that generates an image signal of a blood flow velocity waveform with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing velocity.

  The B-mode processing unit 26a scans a cross section in the subject with an ultrasonic beam, changes the luminance in accordance with the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave, and generates scanning line data constituting a tomographic image.

  The C-mode processing unit 26b generates scanning line data that forms a plane orthogonal to the traveling direction of the ultrasonic beam, that is, a cross section having the same distance from the probe.

  The display processing unit 27 converts the scanning line data output from the image processing unit 26 into a digital signal and stores it in a location corresponding to the position of the scanning line in the frame memory (not shown). The display processing unit 27 generates 2D image data (B-mode image data or C-mode image data) by performing transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for all scanning lines for one frame, and the 2D image data is generated. Convert to a format suitable for display.

  The boundary line display processing unit 28 converts the 2D image data of the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit 21 into a format suitable for display.

  The display unit 29 is various monitors such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 29 displays a B mode image or a C mode image as a 2D image based on the 2D image data output from the display processing unit 27. Alternatively, the display unit 29 converts the 2D image data output from the display processing unit 27 and the 2D image data output from the boundary line display processing unit 28 into a B-mode image or a C-mode image as a 2D image. A 2D image in which the boundary line is superimposed is displayed.

  The 2D image memory 30 stores 2D image data output from the display processing unit 27. The 2D image memory 30 stores a plurality of 2D image data as voxel data.

  The 3D image processing unit 31 generates 3D image data based on a plurality of 2D image data. In general, the display unit 29 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display panel can only perform 2D display. Therefore, in order to display a 3D image using the display unit 29, an algorithm for displaying a 3D image as a 2D image ( Rendering) is required. A typical rendering is surface rendering.

  The 3D image memory 32 stores the 3D image data output from the 3D image processing unit 31.

  The display unit 29 displays a 3D image based on the 3D image data read from the 3D image memory 32. In general, the display unit 29 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display panel can only perform 2D display. Therefore, in order to display a 3D image using the display unit 29, an algorithm for displaying a 3D image as a 2D image ( Rendering) is required. A typical rendering is surface rendering. Moreover, you may perform 4D display which displays a some 3D image (4D image) as a moving image in time series, and 4D display which displays a 4D image in parallel.

  Next, an ultrasonic image display method according to the present invention will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S1 to S10 described later function when a CPU (Central Processing Unit) built in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 12 as hardware executes an ultrasound image display program.

  First, in a first frame constituting one 3D image, a boundary line corresponding to a target part, for example, a fetal face surface is specified (step S1). In step S1, a 2D image generated by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave once for specifying the boundary line and a volume indicator image are displayed, and the boundary line is specified by an input signal from the operator. Alternatively, in step S1, the boundary line is specified by performing contour extraction or the like by well-known edge detection on 2D image data generated by performing one transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for boundary line specification.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a 2D image displayed when a boundary line of a target part is specified.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the 2D image displayed on the display unit 29, for example, a B-mode image, the operator manually inputs a boundary line by plotting a line where he wants to see a detailed image.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a volume indicator image displayed when the boundary line of the target part is specified.

  The volume indicator image displayed on the display unit 29 as shown in FIG. 4 is divided into a plurality of boxes including a transmission beam forming range, for example, 8 boxes of 2 × 2 × 2. The operator manually inputs a focus point by using a marker to specify the depth position of each box for which a detailed image is desired to be viewed on the volume indicator image.

  Moreover, you may correct | amend by the sound field with respect to the boundary line input from the input part 20, or the boundary line by outline extraction.

  A focus point for each scanning line is calculated from the boundary line specified in step S1 (step S2). Here, the focus point is calculated for each scanning line constituting one frame.

  Transmission conditions such as apertures are determined for each scanning line so as to form a relatively wide ultrasonic beam centered on the focus point calculated in step S2 (step S3). A drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe 11 is generated according to the transmission condition determined in step S <b> 3, and the drive signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 11.

  Next, an echo signal based on an ultrasonic echo reflected from the imaging target and received by the ultrasonic probe 11 is received. Further, the reception focus point is dynamically moved by changing the delay time applied to the reception signal from each ultrasonic transducer according to the time from the transmission time by reception beam forming (step S4). For this reason, in receive beamforming, a plurality of focus points can be electronically formed in accordance with a plurality of depth positions without reducing the frame rate. The received signal may be converted into a digital signal and delayed.

  A cross section in the subject is scanned with an ultrasonic beam to generate scanning line data constituting a tomographic image in which the luminance is changed according to the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave. Alternatively, scan line data that forms a plane orthogonal to the traveling direction of the ultrasonic beam, that is, a cross section having the same distance from the probe is generated.

  Next, the scanning line data is converted into a digital signal and stored in a place corresponding to the position of the scanning line in the frame memory. Then, 2D image data (B-mode image data or C-mode image data) is generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves for all scanning lines for one frame (step S5), and the 2D image data is suitable for display. Convert to a different format. Further, 2D image data for one frame is stored in the 2D image memory 30.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all 2D image data for one 3D image is stored in the 2D image memory 30 (step S6). If the determination in step S6 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that all 2D image data for one 3D image is stored in the 2D image memory 30, a plurality of 2D images constituting one 3D image Based on the data, 3D image data is generated by using an indirect method or a direct method (step S7) and stored in the 3D image memory 32. In general, the display unit 29 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display panel can only perform 2D display. Therefore, in order to display a 3D image using the display unit 29, an algorithm for displaying a 3D image as a 2D image ( Rendering) is required. A typical rendering is surface rendering.

  Next, a 3D image is displayed on the display unit 29 based on the 3D image data read from the 3D image memory 32 (step S8).

  On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S6, that is, when it is determined that not all 2D image data for one 3D image is stored in the 2D image memory 30, the next 3D image is formed. A boundary line for generating the 2D image data of the frame is specified (step S9). In step S9, in the same manner as in step S1, the boundary line is specified by 2D image data generated by performing one transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for specifying the boundary line in this frame by contour extraction by known edge detection or the like. Do. Alternatively, in step S9, the same depth as the boundary used when the 2D image data of the adjacent frame is generated is set as the boundary of this frame. Here, the focus point is calculated for each frame constituting one 3D image.

  In step S2, the focus point for each scanning line is calculated from the boundary line specified in step S9.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a 3D image display screen displayed in step S8.

  FIG. 5 shows a dual screen of a 2D image (left screen) for boundary line input and a 3D image (right screen right) in step S1. In this way, the display screen of the 3D image displayed in step S8 is a dual screen, so that the operator who views the display unit 29 can specify a focus point for each scanning line or each frame and generate a 3D image. You can tell that you are doing. In addition, the image quality of the 3D image displayed on the display unit 29 is improved.

  Further, following step S8, it is determined whether or not the generation of 3D image data is to be ended (step S10). If the determination in step S10 is Yes, that is, it is determined that the generation of 3D image data is to be ended, the generation of 3D image data is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined No in step S10, that is, it is determined not to end the generation of 3D image data, the process returns to step S1 to specify the boundary line of the first frame constituting the 3D image at the next timing. Do.

  By repeating the process from step S10 to step S1, a plurality of 3D image data (4D image data) can be generated in time in step S7. In this case, in step S8, the 4D image is displayed as a moving image, or the 4D image is displayed in parallel.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic image display method, and the ultrasonic image display program according to the present invention, it is displayed by specifying a focus point for each scanning line or specifying a focus point for each frame. The quality of 3D images and 4D images can be improved.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an ultrasonic image display method according to the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the 2D image displayed when pinpointing the boundary line of an object part. The figure which shows an example of the volume indicator image displayed when pinpointing the boundary line of an object part. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of 3D image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 Ultrasonic probe 12 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 20 Input part 21 Boundary line specific | specification part 22 Focus point calculating part 23 Transmission condition determination part 24 Ultrasonic transmission part 25 Ultrasonic reception part 26 Image processing part 26a B mode Processing unit 26b C mode processing unit 27 Display processing unit 28 Boundary line display processing unit 29 Display unit 30 2D image memory 31 3D image processing unit 32 3D image memory

Claims (10)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates 3D image data based on a plurality of 2D image data related to a target region, and displays the 3D image data as a 3D image or a 4D image.
A boundary line specifying unit that specifies a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculation unit that calculates a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an image generation unit configured to generate and transmit the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a region including the target region based on a focus point for each scanning line. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates 3D image data based on a plurality of 2D image data related to a target region, and displays the 3D image data as a 3D image or a 4D image.
A boundary line specifying unit that specifies a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculation unit that calculates a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
For each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, an image generation unit is provided that generates and transmits the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from an area including the target region based on a focus point for each scanning line. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A display unit for displaying a boundary line specifying two-dimensional image for specifying the boundary line by the boundary line specifying unit; and an input unit for inputting the boundary line on the boundary line specifying two-dimensional image; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided. A display unit for displaying a volume indicator image including a plurality of boxes including a transmission beam forming range for specifying the boundary line by the boundary line specifying unit, and a depth position for each box on the volume indicator. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit configured to input the boundary line. Among the first and second aspects, the boundary line is specified by performing contour extraction by edge detection based on a boundary line specifying two-dimensional image for specifying the boundary line by the boundary line specifying unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of Claims. The boundary line specifying unit performs correction by a sound field on the boundary line input from the input unit or the boundary line extracted by the contour extraction. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of 5. In an ultrasonic image display method for generating three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data relating to a target region and displaying the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image,
A boundary line specifying step for specifying a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculating step of calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying step;
An ultrasonic image display method, comprising: an image generation step of generating and transmitting the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a region including the target portion based on a focus point for each scanning line . In an ultrasonic image display method for generating three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data relating to a target region and displaying the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image,
A boundary line specifying step of specifying a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculating step for calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying step for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
For each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, an image generation step of generating and transmitting the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to an area including the target portion based on a focus point for each scanning line. An ultrasonic image display method characterized by the above. A computer that generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part, and displays the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image.
A boundary line specifying function for specifying a boundary line based on one piece of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculation function for calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit;
An ultrasonic image display for realizing an image generation function for generating the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an area including the target portion based on a focus point for each scanning line program. A computer that generates three-dimensional image data based on a plurality of two-dimensional image data related to a target part, and displays the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image or a four-dimensional image.
A boundary line specifying function for specifying a boundary line for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
A focus point calculation function for calculating a focus point for each scanning line from the boundary line specified by the boundary line specifying unit for each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data;
For each of the plurality of two-dimensional image data, an image generation function for generating the plurality of two-dimensional image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to an area including the target portion based on a focus point for each scanning line is realized. An ultrasonic image display program characterized in that

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