JP2008154833A - Ultrasonograph and report image preparation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that locating a region to be diagnosed in a breast is difficult only by a three-dimensional image showing the specific region to be diagnosed in the breast. <P>SOLUTION: A report image 100 is composed of a graphic image as a background image and one or more three-dimensional images. The graphic image has virtual images 104 and 106. The virtual images schematically represent a breast. To ensure that the positional relationship between an actual papilla and a diagnosed region is reproduced as it is on the virtual images 104 and 106. The composing positions of three-dimensional images 114, 116 and 118 are computed. It is also possible to measure distances on the report image 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a report image creating method, and more particularly to a technique for creating a report image including an ultrasonic image formed by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

  Ultrasound diagnostics are used to diagnose diseases (eg, tumors) that occur in the breast. For example, in a mass screening, an ultrasound diagnosis of a breast is performed by an examiner, and an ultrasound image obtained by the ultrasound diagnosis is printed as a photograph, and the photograph is attached to an inspection report sheet. The doctor determines the presence or absence of a disease, the location of the disease, the extent of the disease (for example, the degree of invasion in the case of a tumor), etc. on the photograph while referring to the contents of the test report sheet. Of course, the doctor may perform the ultrasonic diagnosis himself. Even in such cases, the ultrasound image is usually printed as a photograph, which is saved as part of the inspection report or chart.

  Recently, three-dimensional ultrasound imaging technology is becoming widespread, and it is possible to observe a target site such as a tumor as a three-dimensional image. For example, a three-dimensional form of a tumor viewed from the viewpoint of an ultrasonic probe can be displayed as a three-dimensional image. In this case, if an ultrasonic probe having a large ultrasonic transmission / reception region (or transmission / reception surface) is used, a three-dimensional image of the entire breast can be displayed at one time. It is inevitably large and heavy and difficult to handle. In addition, if a heavy ultrasound probe is applied to the breast of a subject who lies on his back, the breast will be crushed by its own weight, and the position and range of the tumor etc. can be accurately grasped on the ultrasound image. There is a risk that it will not be possible.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that synthesizes and displays a body mark and a probe mark. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a function of measuring the spatial coordinates of the ultrasonic probe using magnetism. Patent Document 2 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that automatically detects an affected part of a breast. Patent Document 3 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that synthesizes and displays a puncture route and the like.

JP 2005-118142 A JP 2005-193017 A JP 2005-323669 A

  When observing an ultrasound image photograph obtained by ultrasound diagnosis of the breast, it is very difficult to determine where the diseased part is located even if the disease included in it can be identified and visually confirmed. . That is, the diseased part is usually specified by the azimuth and distance in the coordinate system with the nipple as a reference, but it is difficult to obtain such information from an ultrasonic image photograph representing a part of the breast. Of course, if an ultrasound image of the entire breast is acquired, the position and spread of the diseased part can be grasped from the relationship with the entire breast, but if an ultrasound probe for obtaining such an ultrasound image is used, Problems like those pointed out are likely to occur. Alternatively, even if an ultrasound image is obtained using such an ultrasound probe, it is still difficult to intuitively understand where the diseased site on the ultrasound image exists in the breast. . Such a problem occurs both when the examiner performs ultrasonic diagnosis and the doctor performs image diagnosis later, and when the doctor performs ultrasonic diagnosis. The coordinate system is also clearly shown in the ultrasonic image. Because it is not, it is not easy to specify the actual disease position from that alone. This kind of problem can be pointed out remarkably in the ultrasonic diagnosis of the breast, but can also be pointed out in the ultrasonic diagnosis of other tissues.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to intuitively grasp the spatial position of a target part when observing an ultrasonic image.

  The present invention relates to a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives an ultrasonic wave to / from a diagnostic site in a target tissue, a measurement unit that measures coordinate information about the diagnostic site, and a reception signal obtained by transmitting / receiving the ultrasonic wave An ultrasonic image generating means for forming an ultrasonic image based on the image, and a means for forming a report image by synthesizing the ultrasonic image on a background image schematically representing the target tissue, wherein the coordinates And a report image creating means for determining a composite position of the ultrasonic image based on the information.

  According to the above configuration, the report image is created by combining the background image and the ultrasonic image. In that case, the composite position of the ultrasonic image is determined based on the coordinate information about the diagnostic region. The background image is a graphic image, photographic image, etc. representing the target tissue, and the diagnostic site can be observed in the ultrasound image using it as a background, so it is possible to intuitively understand the positional relationship between the target site and the diagnostic site. It becomes easy. It is desirable that the ultrasound image is superimposed on the background image, but as a modification, a marker for specifying the ultrasound diagnosis area or position is displayed on the background image, and the ultrasound image is displayed in association with the marker. You may do it. Also in this case, the ultrasonic image is synthesized with the background image. The ultrasonic image is preferably a three-dimensional image, a projected image, or the like.

  For example, when a background image is configured as a plan view of a breast, a three-dimensional image may be formed by applying an ultrasonic probe perpendicularly to the breast and using it as a viewpoint. When such a three-dimensional image is combined with a background image, the combining position is adjusted in two horizontal directions. When the ultrasound probe is brought into contact with the breast at an angle, the viewpoint may be changed according to the contact angle, and a three-dimensional image viewed from the vertical direction may be constructed. If is not so large, a three-dimensional image viewed from an angle may be synthesized as it is. A mode in which a tomographic image is synthesized and displayed on a background image schematically representing a breast cross section is also included in the scope of the present invention. In any case, when it is difficult to specify the spatial positional relationship with the ultrasonic image itself, the ultrasonic image is synthesized with the background image that facilitates the specification of the positional relationship. desirable. In other words, the advantages of both images are skillfully combined to make the ultrasonic image evaluation more accurate.

  Preferably, the target tissue is a breast, and the background image includes an image element representing a position of a nipple as a reference site. Preferably, the background image includes an image element representing the outline of the breast. If the background image is a graphic image, the graphic image includes graphic elements representing the nipple, graphic elements representing the outline of the breast, and the like as image elements. The former can recognize the reference coordinates or the coordinate origin, and the latter can recognize the approximate scale or scale ratio of the background image. The report image may be printed or stored on a recording medium.

  Preferably, the measuring unit has a function of measuring an actual nipple position, and the report image creating unit is configured to reproduce the positional relationship between the actual nipple position and the diagnosis site position on the report image. Determine the synthesis position of the ultrasound image. According to such a configuration, even if the ultrasound image represents only a part of the breast, it is possible to intuitively understand which part of the breast the diagnostic site represented by the ultrasound image represents. . Note that the diagnostic region corresponds to the entire transmission / reception region to be imaged or a part thereof. The coordinates of the transmission / reception region can be easily specified from the coordinates of the ultrasonic probe.

  Desirably, the azimuth | direction and distance of the synthetic | combination position of the said ultrasonic image from the reference | standard position on the said report image are matched with the azimuth | direction and distance of the said diagnostic site | part position from the said actual nipple position. For example, when performing surgical treatment of a tumor, the location of the tumor is identified based on an ultrasound image. In this case, according to the above configuration, the tumor exists based on the actual nipple by observing the report image. It is possible to accurately grasp the direction and distance to be performed.

  Preferably, the coordinate scale on the report image matches or approximates the coordinate scale of the ultrasonic image. According to this configuration, for example, the degree of tumor infiltration (spreading) can be accurately grasped.

  Preferably, it includes means for measuring a distance from the reference site to the diagnostic site on the report image. According to this configuration, by providing the measurement function, for example, the size of the tumor can be quantitatively evaluated on the report image, and the quality and information value as a report can be improved. Preferably, it includes means for discriminating between the left and right breasts. According to this configuration, since the left and right breasts can be automatically identified, it is possible to prevent the difference. For example, when the position of the nipple is registered as the origin or the reference position, it is possible to identify whether the position is the right breast or the left breast based on whether the position is the right side or the left side on the bed. Of course, the left and right may be input by the user.

  Preferably, the measuring means includes a coordinate marker provided in an ultrasonic probe serving as the wave transmitting / receiving means, a means for measuring the spatial coordinates of the coordinate marker, and a position of a diagnostic site based on the spatial coordinates of the coordinate marker. And means for specifying spatial coordinates. The coordinate information about the diagnostic region basically corresponds to the coordinate information about the imaging region, but the spatial coordinates of the target portion (affected part) in the imaging region may be directly measured. In general, by measuring the spatial position and orientation of an ultrasonic probe, coordinate information about a diagnostic region (imaging region) is obtained indirectly. By the way, even if the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe can be measured, if the coordinate system for the subject is unknown, image synthesis cannot be performed. Coordinate information about the (part) is registered in advance. Based on this, the relative position or contact position of the ultrasonic probe is calculated.

  In addition, the present invention provides a step of measuring coordinate information for an ultrasound probe in contact with a breast, and an ultrasound image formed by a received signal obtained using the ultrasound probe as a background image. And forming a report image in combination with the step of determining a superposition position or an association position of the ultrasonic image on the background image based on the measured coordinate information . Each of the above steps is executed on an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or is executed on an ultrasonic image processing apparatus such as an information processing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the spatial position of the diagnostic region can be intuitively grasped when observing an ultrasonic image.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the present embodiment, the tissue to be ultrasonically diagnosed is the breast, but the present invention can also be applied when diagnosing other tissues.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 is a 3D probe in this embodiment. The ultrasound probe 10 includes an array transducer 12, a registration SW 14, and an infrared reflector 16 as shown in the figure. The array transducer 12 is a 2D array transducer in the present embodiment, and an ultrasonic beam is formed by the array transducer 12, and the ultrasonic beam is two-dimensionally scanned. As a result, a three-dimensional echo data capturing area (three-dimensional space) is formed. Incidentally, a three-dimensional space may be formed by mechanically scanning the 1D array transducer.

  The registration SW 14 is provided on the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe 10 and is operated by a hand holding the ultrasonic probe 10. When this registration SW 14 is turned ON, the spatial coordinates of the ultrasonic probe 10 at that time (or the coordinates of the scanning plane or three-dimensional space at that time) are registered as the origin. This will be described later. The infrared reflector 16 constitutes a positioning unit 20 together with an infrared sensor unit 18 described later. The positioning unit 20 is provided as means for measuring coordinate information about the ultrasonic probe, and in this embodiment, the spatial position of the ultrasonic probe 10 is based on the principle of three-point survey using infrared rays. Position and orientation are observed. The infrared reflector 16 includes a plurality of reflecting elements, and reflects the infrared rays emitted from the infrared sensor unit 18. The infrared sensor unit 18 outputs a received signal by receiving the reflected infrared light.

  The coordinate calculation unit 32 calculates the spatial position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe 10 based on the received signal. In this case, coordinate information about a specific part in the ultrasonic probe 10 may be calculated, or coordinate information about the origin or center point of the three-dimensional space formed by the ultrasonic probe 10 may be calculated. You may make it calculate. Or you may make it calculate the coordinate information about the diagnostic site | part (for example, malignant tumor) which exists in three-dimensional space.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, measurement using infrared rays is performed. Instead, coordinate information may be measured using, for example, a mechanism using a magnetic sensor and a magnetic field generator. Good. Further, the coordinate information may be given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by causing the user to designate the coordinate information directly or indirectly.

  The origin coordinate memory 34 stores coordinate information of the origin registered prior to the ultrasonic diagnosis. In this embodiment, the origin is the nipple position in the breast to be diagnosed. Prior to the ultrasonic diagnosis, as will be described later, the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the nipple, and specifically, the center of the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe 10 is brought into contact with the nipple vertically. In this way, the ultrasonic probe 10 is positioned, and the coordinate information at that time is stored in the origin coordinate memory 34.

  In the process of forming a three-dimensional image (three-dimensional ultrasonic image) in real time, the composite position calculation unit 36 determines the relative position of the ultrasonic image based on the coordinate information about each ultrasonic image and the coordinate information about the origin. It is a unit that calculates the composite position determined by the relationship. That is, as will be described later, a three-dimensional image stored at a timing designated by the user is synthesized on a graphic image as a background image, and the synthesis position is calculated by the synthesis position calculation unit 36. . In this case, the combined position is calculated so that the relative positional relationship of the diagnostic site with respect to the nipple is reproduced as much as possible on the background image. The three-dimensional image does not need to be created in real time, and may be created at the time of synthesis with the background image.

  The transmission unit 22 functions as a transmission beam former and supplies a plurality of transmission signals to the array transducer 12 in parallel. As a result, a transmission beam is formed. The reception unit 24 functions as a reception beam former, and performs a phasing addition process on a plurality of reception signals output from the array transducer 12, thereby forming a reception beam electronically. A reception signal corresponding to the reception beam is output to the signal processing unit 26.

  The signal processing unit 26 performs signal processing such as detection and logarithmic compression, and a reception signal after the signal processing, that is, reception beam data, is output to the tomographic image forming unit 27 and the three-dimensional image forming unit 28. When the B mode is selected, the tomographic image forming unit 27 performs coordinate conversion or the like on the input beam data to form a B mode image as a black and white tomographic image. The tomographic image forming unit 27 is configured by a known DSC (digital scan converter) or the like. The image data of the tomographic image is output to the display processing unit 29.

  On the other hand, the 3D image forming unit 28 functions in the 3D image display mode, and executes rendering processing on input beam data or volume data composed of a plurality of beam data, thereby forming a 3D image. It is a module. As a rendering method, a known volume rendering method or the like can be considered, and various image forming methods can be applied besides that. When a three-dimensional image is formed using the ultrasound probe as a viewpoint, it is possible to advance the rendering process in units of each beam data, that is, in chronological order. On the other hand, when an arbitrary viewpoint is set for the volume data and the rendering process proceeds along the line of sight extending from the viewpoint, the volume data is temporarily stored in a three-dimensional memory (not shown), and then each line of sight is displayed. The process will be performed along In the present embodiment, a three-dimensional image is formed with the ultrasound probe side as a viewpoint.For example, when the contact angle of the ultrasound probe is greatly inclined from the vertical direction, A viewpoint may be set in the vertical axis direction with respect to the volume data, and rendering processing may be performed based on the viewpoint. Image data constituting the three-dimensional image is output to the display processing unit 29.

  The display processing unit 29 has an image forming function, a color calculation function, and the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, the display processing unit 29 has a report image creation unit 38. The report image creation unit 38 has a function of synthesizing a three-dimensional image on a graphic image as a background image created by the graphic image creation unit 44 and thereby creating a report image. The image synthesis position is calculated by the above-described synthesis position calculation unit 36.

  In the present embodiment, as a graphic image, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and the like, an image schematically representing the breast is used, and such an image is generated according to the control of the main control unit 40. . The main control unit 40 performs operation control of each configuration shown in FIG. 1, and an operation panel 42 is connected to the main control unit 40. The operation panel 42 includes a keyboard and a trackball.

  The display unit 46 is configured by a liquid crystal display or a CRT as a flat panel display, and various images such as a tomographic image, a three-dimensional image, and a report image are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 46. Incidentally, a registration switch 30 of a foot switch type may be used in place of the registration SW 14 provided in the ultrasound probe 10.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 52 represents a breast, and reference numeral 56 represents a teat. A mammary gland runs in the breast 52, and in the example shown in FIG. In order to observe the tumor 54 as an ultrasound image, the ultrasound probe 10 is brought into contact with the breast 52. The ultrasonic probe 10 has an array transducer as described above, and the array transducer transmits and receives ultrasonic waves via the transmission / reception surface 48A. The wave transmitting / receiving surface 48A constitutes a contact surface. A registration SW 14 is provided on the main body 48 of the ultrasonic probe 10 at a position operable by the user. Reference numeral 50 has a mounting bracket, and an infrared reflector 16 is provided at one end of the mounting bracket 50. The infrared reflector 16 is composed of, for example, three or four or more reflecting spheres.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasound probe 10 is in contact with the breast 52 of the subject lying on his / her back from the vertical direction, but the ultrasound is obliquely observed along the surface inclination of the breast 52. It is also possible to bring the probe 10 into contact. As will be described later, the graphic image corresponds to a plan view of the breast as viewed from above, and the three-dimensional image formed by contacting the ultrasonic probe from the vertical direction is directly a graphic image as a plan view. It is possible to synthesize above. In that case, the enlargement ratio or the like is adjusted as necessary. That is, the coordinate system is adjusted so that the scale of the graphic image and the scale of the ultrasonic image coincide with each other as much as possible. On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 10 is contacted from an oblique direction, and the ultrasonic probe 10 is a viewpoint for forming a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image constructed in such a manner. May be combined with a graphic image as a plan view as it is, or as described above, the viewpoint may be changed to reconstruct a three-dimensional image viewed from the vertical direction and combine it. . Incidentally, it is also conceivable to synthesize and display a B-mode image on a graphic image as a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the breast.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of each process when performing an ultrasonic inspection. In S101, the B mode is selected, that is, in a state where only the two-dimensional scanning plane is formed, the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the breast nipple. While observing the tomographic image in this case, the ultrasonic probe is positioned by the user so that the vertical center line in the B-mode image passes through the nipple, and the above-described registration SW is operated at the time when the positioning is completed. Then, the coordinate information at that time is stored on the memory as described above.

  In S102, it is determined whether the breast to be diagnosed is the right breast or the left breast. This determination may be performed by user input, but automatic determination may be performed to reduce the burden on the user. For example, based on the registered coordinate information, it is possible to identify whether a nipple is present in the right area of the bed or whether a nipple is present in the left area, thereby distinguishing the diagnosis target.

  In S103, a 3D image display mode is selected, and a 3D image is displayed in real time. That is, the volume data from the three-dimensional space is formed as a three-dimensional image and displayed as an image. If the ultrasonic probe is moved, the contents of the three-dimensional image are sequentially updated accordingly. When three-dimensional diagnosis is repeatedly performed on each part of the breast and a disease or a pathological condition that is suspected is detected for a certain part, the three-dimensional image is stored in a memory according to a predetermined input. . At that time, coordinate information at the time when the three-dimensional image is acquired in association with the three-dimensional image is also stored.

  When storage of an arbitrary number of three-dimensional images is completed, a report image creation mode is selected in S104. Then, the one or more three-dimensional images acquired in S103 are synthesized on the graphic image as the background image, thereby forming a report image. The report image is displayed on the screen. In this case, image composition is performed so that the positional relationship between the actual position of the nipple and the position of the diagnostic site is reflected as it is on the report image. That is, in the report image, a marker representing the nipple and a marker representing the outline of the breast are displayed, and the three-dimensional image is synthesized so that the entity relationship is directly reflected on the coordinate system of the nipple defined by them. Will be done. In this case, it is desirable to adjust the magnification of the image so that the scale of the graphic image and the scale of the ultrasonic image coincide as described above.

  In S106, measurement by a software function is executed on the report image. For example, the distance and orientation from the nipple to the affected area are measured as numerical values, or the size and area of the tumor are automatically measured. When specifying the position of the affected part, the center of gravity calculation may be automatically performed, and the calculated center of gravity may be regarded as the center of the target part. Such a measurement result is recorded as a part of the report image.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram drawn on a conventional inspection report sheet. In general, four regions A to D and a central region E are defined as shown in the figure, and when a disease is found, it is diagnosed to which region it belongs. In the present embodiment, such a conventional schematic diagram is reproduced as a graphic image, and a synthesis process with a three-dimensional image is applied thereto. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 5 shows a report image 100. In this example, the report image 100 includes an image 104 that schematically represents the right breast and an image 106 that schematically represents the left breast, and further includes one or more three-dimensional images 114, 116, and 118. Have. The image 104 and the image 106 basically have the same configuration, and specifically have a symmetrical relationship. Here, the image 104 will be described as a representative. A mark 110 provided in the center is a graphic element representing a nipple, and reference numeral 108 is a graphic element serving as a mark representing the outer edge of the breast or a guideline thereof. Similar to the conventional inspection method, four regions A, B, C, and D are defined in the image 104. These areas are separated by four lines 112. The ultrasonic image 114 is synthesized exclusively on the area A, and in this case, the synthesis position is determined so that the substantial positional relationship is reproduced as it is. Similarly, the three-dimensional image 116 is synthesized across the region C and the region D. The same applies to the three-dimensional image 118, and the three-dimensional image 118 is synthesized on the region B on the left breast image 106. Therefore, by observing such a report image 100, it is possible to intuitively recognize a positional relationship that is difficult to grasp with a three-dimensional image alone. Specifically, it is easy to understand what direction and distance the affected area is seen from the nipple, and since the scales match, the extent to which the affected area has spread can be determined. It is possible to understand intuitively in relation to size. Therefore, if a surgical procedure is examined based on such an inspection report, a more appropriate procedure can be selected, and a more accurate surgical procedure can be performed. Therefore, the medical effect is extremely large.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a measurement function. For example, as shown on the image 106, the distance between the center of the mark representing the nipple, that is, the origin 120 and the center point 122 of the affected part is as follows. It is measured as vector 124. The vector 124 is an arrow-shaped mark extending from the origin, and it is possible to automatically calculate the azimuth and length by adjusting the tip position to a desired position. Incidentally, an automatic trace process may be applied to the affected part, the center of gravity point may be automatically calculated, and the distance between the center of gravity point and the origin may be obtained.

  In addition, as shown on the image 104, it is possible to measure the size of the affected area using the two markers 130 and 132. Alternatively, the area or approximate volume of the affected area can be obtained by performing manual tracing. The numerical information measured in this way is embedded on the report image 100 as indicated by reference numeral 102. Incidentally, it is also possible to place two images in a composition relationship using a link function between images.

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the above-described report image. In this example, the image 140 has a plurality of annular marks 141, 142, 143, and 144. Each mark is drawn in a large size step by step from the inside, and they function as a scale indicating the distance from the origin 148. Reference numeral 160 represents a three-dimensional image. By aligning the tip of the vector 162 with the center of the affected area, distance measurement and azimuth measurement can be performed as described above. Incidentally, reference numeral 146 represents a mark representing the nipple. When such an outer edge of the memory or breast is formed, the farthest point of the three-dimensional image to be synthesized and displayed may be used as a reference. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the edge position 150 </ b> A in the three-dimensional image 150 is referred to, and the distance between the position 150 </ b> A and the origin 148 is defined as the radius of the largest circular mark 141. A plurality of ring-shaped marks are formed at equal intervals inside such a mark 141.

  FIG. 7 shows a modification of the report image. The image 164 schematically represents the breast as described above. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional images 166 and 168 are not directly combined on the image 164, and rectangular marks 170 and 172 representing areas corresponding to the three-dimensional images 166 and 168 are combined. ing. The mark 170 and the three-dimensional image 166 are visually associated with each other by, for example, a line (also associated with data), and the three-dimensional image 166 is enlarged more than the composition method in the above-described embodiment. Is displayed. The same applies to the three-dimensional image 168. The mark 172 representing the area corresponding to the three-dimensional image 168 and the three-dimensional image 168 are visually associated by lines, and the three-dimensional image 168 is displayed in an enlarged manner. .

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to recognize the affected area with a larger size while recognizing the position of the affected area, so that there is an advantage that the diagnostic accuracy can be improved. Further, according to such a method, the image 164 itself as a schematic diagram is not hidden by the three-dimensional image. For example, even when a plurality of three-dimensional images overlap each other, they can be displayed separately and each three-dimensional image can be observed in detail. Even when the method shown in FIG. 7 is adopted, it is possible to automatically measure the distance L and the azimuth θ using the vector by using the measurement function. In the report image shown in FIG. 5 or 7, when a three-dimensional image is selected by the user, a three-dimensional perspective view or a tomographic image of a part in the three-dimensional image may be displayed. For example, by displaying a three-dimensional perspective view of a three-dimensional imaged part and a cross-sectional view from three directions side by side, the properties of the part can be observed from multiple sides.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that a spatial positional relationship that is difficult to recognize with a three-dimensional image alone can be easily recognized by using a background image together. Therefore, even if the examiner performs an ultrasonic diagnosis and only the test report is handed over to the doctor, the doctor can accurately grasp the position of the affected part from the test report, and information such as the extent of the affected part is also available. There is an advantage that it can be recognized accurately. In the above embodiment, the diagnosis site is the breast, but the present invention can be applied to other sites as well. In the above embodiment, image processing is executed on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. However, the image processing may be executed on an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the ultrasonic probe contact | abutted to the breast. It is a flowchart which shows each process in an ultrasonic test | inspection. It is a figure which shows the content drawn on a general test | inspection report. It is a figure which shows an example of a report image. It is a figure which shows the other example of a report image. It is a figure which shows the further another example of a report image.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Ultrasonic probe, 12 Array transducer, 14 Registration SW, 16 Infrared reflector, 18 Infrared sensor unit, 20 Positioning unit, 28 Three-dimensional image forming unit, 29 Display processing unit, 32 Coordinate operation unit, 34 Origin coordinate Memory, 36 composite position calculation unit, 38 report image creation unit, 44 graphic image creation unit.

Claims (10)

Wave transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a diagnosis site in the target tissue;
Measuring means for measuring coordinate information about the diagnostic part;
An ultrasonic image creating means for forming an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave;
Means for synthesizing the ultrasound image on a background image representing the target tissue to form a report image, and a report image creating means for determining a synthesis position of the ultrasound image based on the coordinate information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
The target tissue is a breast;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image includes an image element representing a position of a nipple as a reference region. The apparatus of claim 2.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image includes an image element representing an outline of the breast. The apparatus of claim 2.
The measuring means has a function of measuring the actual nipple position,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the report image creating means determines a composite position of the ultrasonic image so that a positional relationship between the actual nipple position and a diagnostic part position is reproduced on the report image. The apparatus of claim 4.
The azimuth and distance of the diagnostic image position from the reference position on the report image are associated with the azimuth and distance of the diagnostic part position from the actual nipple position, and Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The apparatus of claim 4.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein a coordinate scale on the report image and a coordinate scale of the ultrasonic image coincide or approximate. The apparatus of claim 1.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: means for measuring a distance from the reference site to the diagnostic site on the report image. The apparatus of claim 2.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising means for discriminating between left and right breasts. The apparatus of claim 1.
The measuring means includes
A coordinate marker provided on an ultrasonic probe as the wave transmitting and receiving means;
Means for measuring spatial coordinates of the coordinate marker;
Means for calculating coordinate information about the diagnostic region based on spatial coordinates of the coordinate marker;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: A step of measuring coordinate information about the diagnostic region when performing an ultrasonic diagnosis of the diagnostic region with an ultrasonic probe in contact with the breast; and
A step of forming a report image by combining an ultrasonic image formed by a reception signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe with a background image, wherein the report image is formed on the background image based on the measured coordinate information. Determining a superposition position or an association position of the ultrasonic image in
A report image creating method characterized by comprising:

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