JP2008220389A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic diagnosis support device, and ultrasonic diagnosis support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing a counting error in counting kinetic motions in measuring the kinetic motions of a desired region based on an ultrasonic image, and preventing variation in the determination of the kinetic motions according to measuring persons. <P>SOLUTION: An image data generating part 10 generates a plurality of frames of three-dimensional images. A tracking part 22 tracks the location of a motion observation point set in a basic frame for each frame. A movement quantity computing part 23 computes the quantity of movement of the motion observation point based on the result of the tracking. A kinetic motion determining part 30 determines the start and end of the kinetic motion of an object for observation by comparing the quantity of movement with a threshold. An analysis part 40 computes the frequency of kinetic motions in an examination interval, the time of each kinetic motion and the time interval between kinetic motions, etc. based on the result of determination of the start and end of the kinetic motion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic support apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic support program used for observing the number of movements of an observation target, and in particular, a technique used for observing the number of fetal movements based on an ultrasonic image. About.

  In the diagnosis of the fetal growth state, the number of fetal movements is used as a diagnostic index. The fetus is photographed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that a part for which the number of exercises is to be measured is included in the ultrasonic image, and an ultrasonic image (moving image) showing the part is displayed on the display device. Examples of sites for measuring the number of exercises include the fetus's mouth, hands, eyes, feet, and buttocks. Then, the measurer observes the ultrasonic image (moving image) displayed on the display device, and visually observes the movement of the site to be observed (mouth, hand, etc.). For example, one part of the movement from the state where the site to be observed moves to another position and until it comes to rest again is one movement, and the measurer visually measures the number of movements per unit time.

  As described above, since the movement of the observation target (mouth, hand, etc.) is visually observed, conventionally, an ultrasonic image as a moving image is recorded on a video tape and the moving image is played back in slow motion. By doing so, the movement of the part to be measured was observed.

  In observation of fetal movement, the duration of one movement is measured. Furthermore, the time (interval time) required for one exercise to end and the next exercise to start may be obtained. The number of exercises per unit time thus obtained, the duration of the exercise, the interval time, and the like are index values for diagnosing the fetal growth state.

  However, since the movement of a desired part included in the moving image is visually confirmed, it is difficult to measure the movements of a plurality of parts at a time. For example, when an ultrasonic image showing the eyes and mouth of the fetus is displayed on the display device and the eye and mouth movements are observed at the same time, it is necessary to observe two parts at a time. There was a risk of counting off.

  In addition, since the duration of one exercise and the interval time are measured while playing back the recorded moving image in slow motion, the operation of the playback device is complicated and the measurement takes time.

  Furthermore, since it is a visual confirmation, there is a possibility that variations in the determination of movement may occur depending on the measurer.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and in measuring the movement of a desired part based on an ultrasonic image, it is possible to prevent the counting of movements and to prevent variations in movement determination by the measurer. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic support apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic support program.

The invention according to claim 1 is an image generation means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject and generating ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames in which acquired times are continuous based on reflected waves from the subject; A motion observation point tracking means for setting a motion observation point for an ultrasonic image of a desired reference frame among the ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames, and tracking the position of the motion observation point for each frame; The difference between the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasonic image of each frame obtained by the motion observation side point tracking means and the position of the motion observation point set in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame is used as the first movement amount. Further, a movement amount calculating means for obtaining a difference in position of the movement viewing side point between adjacent frames in time as a second movement amount, and starting movement of the movement observation point based on the first movement amount Judgment An exercise start determination means for determining a motion end of the motion observation point based on the second movement amount, and a frame after the frame determined as the exercise start; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: an exercise measuring unit that counts the number of exercises with one exercise until the end of the exercise.
The invention according to claim 10 is an image storage that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject, and stores ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames that are generated based on reflected waves from the subject and that have acquired times. And a motion observation point is set for an ultrasonic image of a desired reference frame among the plurality of consecutive frames of ultrasonic images stored in the image storage means, and the position of the motion observation point is defined as a frame. Motion observation point tracking means to be tracked every time, the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasonic image of each frame obtained by the motion observation point tracking means, and the motion observation point set in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame A movement amount calculating means for obtaining a difference from the position as a first movement amount, and further obtaining a difference in position of a motion observation point between temporally adjacent frames as a second movement amount; and the first movement amount. Motion start determining means for determining the motion start of the motion observation point based on the amount, and for the frames after the frame determined to be the motion start, the motion end of the motion observation point based on the second travel amount An ultrasonic diagnosis support apparatus, comprising: an exercise end determination unit that determines the number of exercises, and an exercise measurement unit that counts the number of exercises from the start of exercise to the end of exercise as one exercise.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic image is transmitted to an object to a computer and is generated based on a reflected wave from the object. Is read out from the image storage means, and a motion observation point is set with respect to an ultrasonic image of a desired reference frame among the ultrasonic images of the continuous multiple frames. A motion observation point tracking function for tracking the position of the motion observation point for each frame, a position of the motion observation point in an ultrasonic image of each frame obtained by the motion observation point tracking function, and an ultrasonic wave of the reference frame The difference from the position of the motion observation point set in the image is obtained as the first movement amount, and further, the difference in the position of the movement side point between the temporally adjacent frames is calculated as the second movement amount. The movement amount calculation function obtained in this way, the movement start determination function for determining the movement start of the movement observation point based on the first movement amount, and the frames after the frame determined to be the movement start, An exercise end determination function for determining the end of exercise at the exercise observation point based on a movement amount of 2, and an exercise measurement function for counting the number of exercises from the start of exercise to the end of exercise as one exercise. This is a featured ultrasound diagnosis support program.

  According to the present invention, the position of the motion observation point set in the ultrasonic image is tracked, the amount of movement of the motion observation point is obtained in each frame, and the start or end of motion of the site to be observed based on the amount of movement Therefore, it is possible to make a more quantitative determination as compared with the conventional method of visually determining movement. As a result, it is possible to prevent the number of exercises from being counted and variations in exercise determination by the measurer.

(Constitution)
A configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image data generation unit 10, a control unit 15, a user interface (UI) 16, and an exercise evaluation unit 20. The control unit 15, the user interface (UI) 16, and the exercise evaluation unit 20 constitute an ultrasonic diagnosis support apparatus. The system according to the present invention may be configured only by the ultrasonic diagnosis support apparatus, or may be an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by adding the image data generation unit 10.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the ultrasonic diagnostic support apparatus according to this embodiment calculates the number of motions of an observation target based on ultrasonic image data such as tomographic image data and three-dimensional image data of a plurality of temporally continuous frames. evaluate. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the observation target is a fetus, and the number of movements of a part such as a hand or mouth of the fetus is evaluated.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the image data generation unit 10, the control unit 15, the user interface (UI) 16, and the motion evaluation unit 20, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the subject to acquire ultrasonic image data. The number of movements of the observation target can be measured. On the other hand, according to the ultrasound diagnosis support apparatus including the control unit 15, the user interface (UI) 16, and the motion evaluation unit 20, the number of motions of the observation target is measured based on previously acquired ultrasound image data. Can do.

[Image Data Generation Unit 10]
The image data generation unit 10 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and generates ultrasonic image data such as tomographic image data and three-dimensional image data based on the reflected wave from the subject. The ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generation unit 10 is output to the display unit 17, and an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the display unit 17. In this embodiment, the image data generation unit 10 generates ultrasonic image data such as a plurality of frames of tomographic image data and three-dimensional image data for which the acquired times are continuous. As a result, ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames are continuously displayed in time on the display unit 17 and recognized as a moving image by the operator. The image data generation unit 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, and an image generation unit 14.

  The ultrasonic probe 11 includes a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a line in the scanning direction, or a two-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are two-dimensionally arranged. Is used. By using a two-dimensional ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to and received from a three-dimensional region, and volume data of the three-dimensional region can be acquired. The ultrasonic probe 11 is a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a line in the scanning direction, and the ultrasonic transducer is in a direction (oscillating direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction. A one-dimensional ultrasonic probe capable of scanning a three-dimensional region by mechanically swinging the probe may be used.

  The transmission / reception unit 12 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. The transmission unit is connected to each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 11, performs transmission beam focusing with a delay when transmitting the ultrasonic wave, supplies an electric signal to each ultrasonic transducer, and sets a predetermined focus. A beam-formed (transmitted beam-formed) ultrasonic wave is scanned. The receiving unit is connected to each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 11 and is necessary for amplifying the echo signal received by each ultrasonic transducer and performing A / D conversion, and then determining the reception directivity. Add delay time. By the addition, the reflected wave from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity is emphasized.

  The signal processing unit 13 includes a B mode processing unit, a Doppler mode processing unit, and a CFM processing unit. The data output from the transmission / reception unit 12 is subjected to predetermined processing in any of the processing units. The B-mode processing unit performs band-pass filter processing on the signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12, then detects the envelope of the output signal, and performs compression processing by logarithmic conversion on the detected data Then, the echo amplitude information is visualized. The Doppler mode processing unit generates blood flow information by a known continuous wave Doppler method (CW Doppler method) or pulse Doppler method (PW Doppler method). The CFM processing unit visualizes moving blood flow information and generates color ultrasonic raster data.

  The image generation unit 14 converts the data output from the signal processing unit 13 into image data represented by orthogonal coordinates (scan conversion processing) in order to obtain an image represented by the orthogonal coordinate system. For example, the image generation unit 14 generates tomographic image data as two-dimensional information based on the output from the B mode processing unit. When volume data is acquired using a two-dimensional ultrasound probe, the image generation unit 14 performs volume rendering processing, surface rendering processing, MPR processing (Multi Planar Reconstruction), etc. on the volume data. By performing this image processing, ultrasonic image data such as three-dimensional image data and image data (MPR image data) in an arbitrary cross section is generated. The image generation unit 14 may generate volume data based on a plurality of tomographic image data, and generate the three-dimensional image data by performing the image processing on the volume data.

  Ultrasonic image data such as tomographic image data and three-dimensional image data output from the image generation unit 14 is output to the display unit 17. Thereby, the display unit 17 displays a tomographic image based on the tomographic image data, a three-dimensional image based on the three-dimensional image data, and the like. Further, the ultrasonic image data output from the image generation unit 14 is stored in the image data storage unit 21.

  In this embodiment, a case where an observation target is a fetus and a three-dimensional image of the fetus is acquired will be described. The image data generation unit 10 generates ultrasonic waves to the mother body and receives reflected waves from the mother body, thereby generating a plurality of temporally continuous frames of three-dimensional image data representing the fetus. The three-dimensional image data of a plurality of frames is output to the display unit 17, and the three-dimensional images of the plurality of frames are displayed continuously in time. Thereby, a three-dimensional moving image representing the fetus is displayed on the display unit 17, and the number of fetal movements is evaluated based on the moving image.

  Here, an example of a three-dimensional image of a fetus displayed on the display unit 17 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a screen for explaining setting of motion observation points for an image. When the three-dimensional image data of the fetus is output from the image generation unit 14 to the display unit 17, a three-dimensional image 50 of the fetus is displayed on the screen 17A of the display unit 17 as shown in FIG.

[Exercise Evaluation Unit 20]
The exercise evaluation unit 20 detects the exercise to be observed, and obtains the number of exercises per unit time, the duration per exercise, the time required from the end of exercise to the start of the next exercise (interval time), and the like. . In this embodiment, the image data generation unit 10 acquires fetal three-dimensional image data, and the motion evaluation unit 20 obtains the number of fetal motions based on the three-dimensional image.

  The exercise evaluation unit 20 includes an image data storage unit 21, a tracking unit 22, a movement amount calculation unit 23, an exercise determination unit 30, and an analysis unit 40. Note that the image data storage unit 21 may be provided outside the exercise evaluation unit 20.

  The setting of the motion observation point for detecting the motion of the observation target and the tracking of the motion observation point will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the control unit 15 uses, as a basic frame, a frame designated by the operator using the operation unit 18 among a plurality of frames of three-dimensional image data stored in the image data storage unit 21. Image data is read from the image data storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 15 causes the display unit 17 to display a three-dimensional image 50 of the basic frame designated by the operator. For specifying the basic frame, for example, the control unit 15 creates a thumbnail image of each frame and displays it on the display unit 17, and the operator uses the operation unit 18 to select a three-dimensional image of a desired frame from the thumbnail images. This is done by specifying. Alternatively, identification information may be added to the three-dimensional image of each frame, and the operator may specify the identification information using the operation unit 18 to specify the three-dimensional image of a desired frame. The frame designated here is set in the tracking unit 22 as a basic frame.

  With the control unit 15 displaying the three-dimensional image 50 of the basic frame on the display unit 17, the operator uses the operation unit 18 and the motion observation point and the basic shape with respect to a part where the number of exercises is to be measured. Is specified. For example, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to designate the contour of a part where the number of exercises or the like is to be measured, and designates a motion observation point used for determination of exercise start or exercise end on the contour. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the fetal hand and mouth are to be observed, and the number of movements of the hand and mouth is measured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to specify the basic shape representing the outline and the position of the motion observation point for the hand 51 and the mouth 52 included in the three-dimensional image 50 of the fetus. For example, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to trace the contour of the hand 51 to specify the basic shape 60 representing the contour of the hand 51, and further, a plurality of motion observation points 61 </ b> A, 61 </ b> B, 61 </ b> C on the basic shape 60. , 61D, 61E are designated. When the motion observation points 61A to 61E are designated in this way, coordinate information of the motion observation points 61A to 61E in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional image is output from the user interface 16 to the tracking unit 22, and the motion observation side points 61A to 61E are output. Is set in the tracking unit 22 as a tracking target. In addition, when the operator inputs part information (name or the like) indicating the part where the movement view side points 61A to 61E are designated using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 sets the coordinate information of the movement observation points 61A to 61E. The coordinate information of the movement observation side points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E is output to the tracking unit 22. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, when the part information representing the hand 51 is input by the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 adds the part information representing the hand 51 to the coordinate information of the movement side points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E for tracking. To the unit 22. As a result, the movement observation side points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E are set as tracking targets of the hand 51 in the tracking unit 22.

  Similarly, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to trace the contour of the mouth 52 to specify a basic shape 62 representing the contour of the mouth 52, and further, a plurality of motion observation points 63 </ b> A, 63 </ b> B, Specify 63C. When the motion observation points 63A to 63C are designated in this way, the coordinate information of the motion observation side points 63A to 63C in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional image is output from the user interface 16 to the tracking unit 22, and the motion observation side points 63A to 63C are output. 63C is set in the tracking unit 22 as a tracking target. When the part information representing the part (mouth 52) in which the movement viewing points 63A to 63C are designated is input from the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 inputs the part information representing the mouth 52 to the movement viewing point 63A to 63A. Attached to 63C and output to the tracking unit 22. Accordingly, the movement view points 63 </ b> A to 63 are set in the tracking unit 22 as the tracking target of the mouth 52.

[Tracking unit 22]
The tracking unit 22 tracks a motion observation point designated on the three-dimensional image of the basic frame for each frame by using a known method. The tracking unit 22 detects the motion observation point for each frame and tracks the movement of the motion observation point. For example, the tracking unit 22 detects the contour of each part based on the difference in luminance value of the three-dimensional image, and detects a motion observation point set on the contour. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the tracking unit 22 detects the contours of the hand 51 and the mouth 52 based on the difference in luminance value of the three-dimensional image 50, and motion observation points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E and 63 </ b> A to 63 </ b> A to 63 </ b> A set on the contours. 63C is detected. The tracking unit 22 searches for the motion observation point in the next frame with reference to the positions of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set in the basic frame, so Keep track of your movements.

  The tracking unit 22 reads the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the examination section designated by the operator from the image data storage unit 21, and determines the positions of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set in the basic frame. Tracking is performed in each frame, and the positions of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame are obtained. The tracking unit 22 outputs the coordinate information of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C detected in each frame to the movement amount calculation unit 23. The tracking unit 22 corresponds to an example of the “motion observation point tracking means” of the present invention.

[Movement amount calculation unit 23]
The movement amount calculation unit 23 calculates the movement amount (displacement) of the motion observation point based on the coordinates of the motion observation point obtained in each frame. The movement amount of the movement viewing side point is used to determine the movement start or movement end of the part where the movement viewing side point is set.

  First, the movement amount calculation unit 23 may be referred to as a difference (hereinafter referred to as “first movement amount”) between the coordinates of the movement side point set in the basic frame and the coordinates of the movement side point in each frame. ) The first movement amount represents a distance indicating how much the movement side point in each frame has moved from the basic frame. If the first movement amount is large, it can be determined that the exercise has started, and therefore, it is used for the determination of the exercise start. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the movement amount calculation unit 23 includes the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set in the basic frame, and the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame. For each motion observation point. That is, the movement amount calculation unit 23 obtains a difference (first movement amount) between the basic frame and each frame for each of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C.

  Further, the movement amount calculation unit 23 attaches the part information representing the hand 51 to the first movement amount obtained for the movement side points 61A to 61E, and obtains the first movement obtained for the movement side points 63A to 63C. The part information representing the mouth 52 is attached to the quantity.

  Also, the movement amount calculation unit 23 (hereinafter referred to as “second movement amount”) is the difference between the coordinates of the movement viewing side point in a certain frame and the coordinates of the movement viewing side point in the previous frame of the frame. Ask). That is, the movement amount calculation unit 23 calculates the movement amount of the motion observation point between temporally adjacent frames, and sets the movement amount as the second movement amount. If the second movement amount is small, it can be determined that the exercise is stopped, and therefore, it is used for determining the end of the exercise. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the movement amount calculation unit 23 includes the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame and the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in the frame immediately before each frame. The difference from the coordinates is obtained for each motion observation point. That is, the movement amount calculation unit 23 obtains a difference (second movement amount) from the previous frame for each of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C.

  Further, the movement amount calculation unit 23 attaches the part information representing the hand 51 to the second movement amount obtained for the movement side points 61A to 61E, and obtains the second movement obtained for the movement side points 63A to 63C. The part information representing the mouth 52 is attached to the quantity.

  The movement amount calculation unit 23 outputs the first movement amount and the second movement amount of the movement observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C obtained for each frame to the movement determination unit 30.

[Exercise determination unit 30]
The exercise determination unit 30 includes an exercise start determination unit 31 and an exercise end determination unit 32. The motion start determining unit 31 determines a difference (first movement amount) between the coordinates of the motion observation point set on the three-dimensional image of the basic frame and the coordinates of the motion observation point set on the three-dimensional image of each frame. ) To start exercise. For example, a threshold indicating the amount of movement that serves as a reference for starting exercise (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “first threshold”) is set in advance in the exercise start determining unit 31, and the exercise start determining unit 31 If the movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is determined that the exercise has started in the frame for which the first movement amount has been obtained. This is because if the first movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it can be determined that the part has started to exercise. Then, the exercise start determination unit 31 adds the exercise start information indicating the exercise start and the region information indicating the exercised part to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the exercise start, and stores them in the image data storage unit 21. . The first threshold value can be set for each part to be observed. For example, the start of exercise of each part may be determined using different threshold values for the hand and the mouth.

  The exercise start determination unit 31 compares the first movement amount attached with the part information representing the hand 51 and the first threshold set for the hand 51, and the first movement amount is the first movement amount. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the movement of the hand 51 has started in the frame for which the first movement amount has been obtained. In this embodiment, since the part information of the hand 51 is attached to the first movement amounts of the movement view side points 61A to 61E, the movement start determination unit 31 determines each movement observation point 61A to 61E obtained for each frame. The first movement amount is compared with the first threshold value set for the hand 51. If the first movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the first movement amount is obtained. It is determined that the movement of the hand 51 has started in the given frame. At this time, the exercise start determination unit 31 determines that the exercise of the hand 51 is started when the first movement amount of any of the exercise observation points 61A to 61E is equal to or greater than the first threshold. Alternatively, when the first movement amount of the plurality of motion observation points 61A to 61E is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the hand 51 may be determined to start the motion. The exercise start determination unit 31 adds the exercise start information indicating the exercise start and the region information indicating the exercised part (hand 51) to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the exercise start, in the image data storage unit 21. Remember.

  Similarly, the exercise start determination unit 31 compares the first movement amount attached with the part information representing the mouth 52 with the first threshold set for the mouth 52, and the first movement amount. Is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is determined that the movement of the mouth 52 has started in the frame for which the first movement amount has been obtained. In this embodiment, since the part information of the mouth 52 is attached to the first movement amounts of the motion observation points 63A to 63C, the motion start determination unit 31 determines the motion observation points 63A to 63C obtained for each frame. The first movement amount is compared with the first threshold value set for the mouth 52. If the first movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the first movement amount is obtained. It is determined that the movement of the mouth 52 has started in the frame. At this time, the exercise start determination unit 31 may determine that the exercise is started for the mouth 52 when any of the exercise observation points 63A to 63C is equal to or greater than the first threshold. When the motion observation points 63A to 63C are equal to or higher than the first threshold, the mouth 52 may be determined to start motion. The exercise start determination unit 31 attaches exercise start information indicating exercise start and site information indicating the exercised part (mouth 52) to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to start exercise in the image data storage unit 21. Remember.

  The threshold value for the exercise start determination set for the hand 51 and the threshold value for the exercise start determination set for the mouth 52 may be the same value or different values. These threshold values can be changed to arbitrary values by the operator using the operation unit 18.

  The motion end determination unit 32 determines the end of motion for the frame after the start of motion based on the coordinate difference (second movement amount) of the motion view side point of the previous frame. For example, a threshold indicating the amount of movement serving as a reference for the end of exercise (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “second threshold”) is set in advance in the exercise end determination unit 32, If the movement amount is equal to or less than the second threshold value, it is determined that the exercise is completed in the frame for which the second movement amount is obtained. This is because if the second movement amount is equal to or less than the second threshold, it can be determined that the part is stopped. Then, the exercise end determination unit 32 attaches exercise end information indicating the end of exercise and region information indicating the end of the exercise to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the end of the exercise, and stores the information in the image data storage unit 21. Remember me. The second threshold value can be set for each part to be observed. For example, the end of exercise of each part may be determined using different threshold values for the hand and the mouth.

  The exercise end determination unit 32 is a second movement amount to which the part information representing the hand 51 is attached, the second movement amount obtained for frames after the frame determined to start the exercise, and the hand 51 If the second movement amount is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value, the movement of the hand 51 is completed at the frame in which the second movement amount is obtained. Judge. In this embodiment, since the part information of the hand 51 is attached to the first movement amount of the movement observation points 61A to 61E, the movement end determination unit 32 obtains each frame after the frame determined to start the movement. If the second movement amount of each of the motion observation points 61A to 61E is compared with the second threshold value set for the hand 51, and the second movement amount is equal to or less than the second threshold value, It is determined that the movement of the hand 51 is completed at the frame for which the second movement amount is obtained. At this time, the movement end determination unit 32 determines that the movement of the hand 51 is ended when the second movement amount of any one of the movement observation points 61A to 61E is equal to or less than the second threshold. Alternatively, when the second movement amount of the plurality of motion observation points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the hand 51 may be determined to have finished the motion. The exercise end determination unit 32 attaches exercise end information indicating the end of exercise and region information indicating the end of exercise (hand 51) to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined as the end of exercise, and an image data storage unit 21 is stored.

  Similarly, the exercise end determination unit 32 is a second movement amount attached with the part information representing the mouth 52, the second movement amount obtained for the frames after the frame determined to start the exercise, The second threshold value set for the mouth 52 is compared, and if the second movement amount is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value, the movement of the mouth 52 in the frame in which the second movement amount is obtained. Is determined to have ended. In this embodiment, since the part information of the mouth 52 is attached to the second movement amount of the motion observation points 63A to 63C, the motion end determination unit 32 obtains each frame after the frame determined to start the motion. If the second movement amount of each of the motion observation points 63A to 63C is compared with the second threshold value set for the mouth 52, and the second movement amount is equal to or less than the second threshold value, It is determined that the movement of the mouth 52 is completed at the frame for which the second movement amount is obtained. At this time, the movement end determination unit 32 may determine that the movement of the mouth 52 is ended when any one of the movement observation points 63A to 63C is equal to or lower than the second threshold. When the motion observation points 63A to 63C are equal to or less than the second threshold value, it may be determined that the motion has ended for the mouth 52. The motion end determination unit 32 adds the motion end information indicating the end of motion and the part information indicating the end of the motion (mouth 52) to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the end of the motion, and the image data storage unit 21 is stored.

  The threshold value for determining the end of exercise set for the hand 51 and the threshold value for determining the end of exercise set for the mouth 52 may be the same value or different values. These threshold values can be changed to arbitrary values by the operator using the operation unit 18.

[Analysis unit 40]
The analysis unit 40 includes an exercise measurement unit 41, an exercise time calculation unit 42, and an interval time calculation unit 43.

  The exercise measuring unit 41 counts the number of exercises of each part. For example, a frame from a frame determined to start exercise (a frame attached with exercise start information) to a frame determined to end exercise (a frame attached to exercise end information) is defined as one exercise and included in the section to be inspected Count the number of exercises contained in multiple frames. Since the frame determined to start the exercise is accompanied by the part information indicating the exercised part, and the frame determined to be the end of the movement is attached to the part information indicating the part of the exercise completed, the motion measurement unit 41 measures the number of exercises of each part by measuring part information attached to the frame determined to start the exercise.

  Moreover, the exercise | movement measurement part 41 calculates | requires the frequency | count of exercise | movement per unit time about each site | part. For example, the exercise measuring unit 41 obtains the number of exercises of each part included in all examination sections, and obtains the number of exercises per unit time for each part by dividing the number of times by the time of all the sections.

  The exercise time calculation unit 42 calculates the duration per exercise for each part. In other words, the exercise time calculation unit 42 obtains the time from the frame determined to start exercise to the frame determined to end exercise. When a plurality of exercises are detected, the exercise time calculation unit 42 obtains the duration of each exercise. Further, the exercise time calculation unit 42 may obtain an average value of duration times.

  The interval time calculation part 43 calculates | requires the time between exercise | movement about each site | part. That is, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the time between the frames determined from the end of the exercise to the frame determined to start the next exercise. When a plurality of exercises are detected, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the time between each exercise. Further, the interval time calculation unit 43 may obtain an average value of the interval time.

  The number of exercises per unit time, the duration per exercise, and the interval time are stored in, for example, a storage unit (not shown) installed in the exercise evaluation unit 20. Moreover, when the average value of duration per exercise | movement and the average value of interval time are calculated | required, these average values are memorize | stored in a memory | storage part (not shown). The control unit 15 is obtained by the number of exercises per unit time obtained by the exercise measuring unit 41, the duration per one exercise obtained by the exercise time calculating unit 42, or obtained by the interval time calculating unit 43. The interval time is displayed on the display unit 17. Further, the control unit 15 may cause the display unit 17 to display the average value of the duration time per exercise and the average value of the interval time.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above configuration, the movement amount of the motion observation point is obtained, and the start or end of the motion is determined based on a preset threshold value. Thus, a more quantitative judgment can be made. As a result, it is possible to prevent the number of exercises from being counted and variations in exercise determination by the measurer.

  Further, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, the motion observation point is designated for a plurality of parts, the movement amount of the motion observation point is obtained for each part, and the plurality of parts are based on a preset threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to measure the number of exercises at a plurality of sites at a time. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the number of movements of the hand 51 and the mouth 52 can be measured at a time. Thereby, even if it is a case where the exercise | movement of a some site | part is judged, compared with the conventional method of judging an exercise | movement visually, it becomes possible to prevent the count-down of an exercise | movement. In addition, since the number of exercises of a plurality of parts can be measured at a time, the inspection throughput can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the duration per exercise and the time between intervals following the measurement of the number of exercises, so that the inspection throughput can be improved. It becomes possible.

[Confirmation of exercise start]
Further, the operator may confirm the three-dimensional image of the frame determined to start the exercise and correct the determination to start the exercise. For example, when the operator gives a display instruction using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 reads the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to start the exercise from the image data storage unit 21, and is determined to start the exercise. A three-dimensional image of the frame is displayed on the display unit 17. Since the motion start information indicating the motion start is attached to the 3D image data of the frame determined to start the motion, the control unit 15 converts the 3D image data of the frame attached with the motion start information. The data is read from the image data storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17. When a plurality of exercises are determined, since the plurality of three-dimensional image data of the frames attached with the exercise start information are stored in the image data storage unit 21, the control unit 15 includes the exercise start information. All the three-dimensional image data being read is read from the image data storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17. At this time, the control unit 15 may list the three-dimensional images of each frame on the display unit 17 at a time, or may display the three-dimensional images of each frame on the display unit 17 in time order.

  Further, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to start the exercise and the three-dimensional image data of several frames before and after the frame from the image data storage unit 21 and displays these three-dimensional images on the display unit 17. May be displayed. For example, the control unit 15 reads the 3D image data of the frame determined to start the exercise, the 3D image data of 10 frames before and after the frame, and the 3D image data of a total of 11 frames from the image data storage unit 21. These three-dimensional images are displayed on the display unit 17. At this time, the control unit 15 may list the three-dimensional images of each frame on the display unit 17 at a time, or may display the three-dimensional images of each frame on the display unit 17 in time order.

  Then, the operator can confirm whether or not the exercise start is appropriately determined by referring to the three-dimensional image determined to be the exercise start displayed on the display unit 17.

  When canceling the exercise, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to designate a frame determined to start the exercise, and gives an instruction to cancel the exercise to the frame. Upon receiving the cancellation instruction, the control unit 15 deletes the exercise start information attached to the three-dimensional image data of the frame designated by the operator.

  Thus, when cancellation of exercise is instructed by the operator, the exercise measurement unit 41 corrects the number of exercises according to the cancellation instruction. For example, the exercise measuring unit 41 obtains the corrected number of exercises by subtracting the number of exercises from the number of exercises in all examination sections by the number of exercises. Moreover, the exercise | movement measurement part 41 calculates | requires the number of exercises per unit time after correction by dividing the number of exercises after correction by the time of all the sections.

  Further, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the interval time again in accordance with the instruction to cancel the exercise start. That is, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the time between exercises detected before and after the exercise canceled by the cancellation instruction.

  When changing the frame for starting exercise, the operator designates a frame for starting exercise using the operation unit 18. Upon receiving the designation, the control unit 15 attaches exercise start information to the three-dimensional image data of the frame designated by the operator. As described above, when the exercise start frame is changed by the operator, the exercise time calculation unit 42 changes the exercise duration with the change of the exercise start frame. Moreover, the interval time calculation part 43 changes the time of an interval with the change of an exercise | movement start frame.

  Further, the control unit 15 may read out the 3D image data of the frame determined to end the exercise from the image data storage unit 21 and cause the display unit 17 to display the 3D image of the frame determined to end the exercise. .

  As described above, by displaying the three-dimensional image of the frame determined to start the exercise on the display unit 17, the operator confirms the frame that should not be determined to start the exercise, and the number of exercises in all examination sections, It is possible to correct the number of exercises per unit time, interval time, and the like.

[Exercise section display]
When the operator gives a display instruction using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the section determined as the exercise from the image data storage unit 21, and Are displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. That is, the control unit 15 determines whether the frame 3 is included between a frame determined to start exercise (a frame attached with exercise start information) and a frame determined to end exercise (a frame attached to exercise end information). The three-dimensional image data is read from the image data storage unit 21 and the three-dimensional image of each frame is displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. As a result, a three-dimensional image (moving image) of the section determined to be exercise is displayed on the display unit 17. When a plurality of movements are detected by the movement determination unit 30, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frames included in each movement section from the image data storage unit 21, and the three-dimensional image of each frame. Are displayed on the display unit 17 in time order.

  For example, when the operator designates a region to be observed using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 moves from the frame attached with the part information indicating the designated part and the exercise start information to the frame attached with the exercise end information. The three-dimensional image data of the frames included in between are read from the image data storage unit 21 and the three-dimensional image data of each frame are displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. For example, when the operator designates a hand as a site to be observed using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 converts the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the section determined as the movement of the hand 51 into the image data storage unit 21. The three-dimensional image of each frame is displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. Thereby, it is possible to observe how the hand 51 is moving. Similarly, when the operator designates the mouth as the site to be observed using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 converts the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the section determined as the movement of the mouth 52 into the image data storage unit. 21. The three-dimensional image of each frame is read from the display unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. Thereby, it is possible to observe how the mouth 52 is moving.

[Display interval section]
Further, the control unit 15 may read the three-dimensional image data of each frame included in the interval section, and cause the display unit 17 to display the three-dimensional image of each frame in time order. That is, the control unit 15 includes each frame included between a frame determined to end the exercise (a frame attached with the exercise end information) and a frame determined to start the next exercise (a frame attached to the exercise start information). The three-dimensional image data of the frame is read from the image data storage unit 21, and the three-dimensional image of each frame is displayed on the display unit 17 in time order. As a result, a three-dimensional image (moving image) of the interval section is displayed on the display unit 17.

  The operator can confirm whether or not the movement has been counted by referring to the three-dimensional image of each frame included in the interval section. When the operator determines that the interval section includes a frame that can be determined to start the exercise, the operator designates a three-dimensional image of the frame using the operation unit 18. Further, when the operator determines that a frame that can be determined to be the end of exercise is included, the operator designates a three-dimensional image of the frame using the operation unit 18. When the control unit 15 receives the designation of the motion start frame and the motion end frame, the control unit 15 adds the motion start information to the three-dimensional image data of the frame where the motion start is designated, The movement end information is attached to the three-dimensional image data.

  Thus, when the exercise start frame and the exercise end frame are designated by the operator, the exercise measurement unit 41 corrects the number of exercises according to the designation. For example, the exercise measuring unit 41 obtains the corrected number of exercises by adding the number of exercises designated by the operator to the number of exercises in all sections. Moreover, the exercise | movement measurement part 41 calculates | requires the number of exercises per unit time after correction by dividing the number of exercises after correction by the time of all the sections.

  The interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the interval time again according to the instruction to add the number of exercises. That is, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains an interval time between the exercise added by the exercise addition instruction and the exercise detected before and after the exercise.

  As described above, by displaying the three-dimensional image of the frame included in the interval section on the display unit 17, the operator can confirm whether or not the exercise has been counted down.

  The user interface (UI) 16 includes a display unit 17 and an operation unit 18. The display unit 17 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and displays a tomographic image, a three-dimensional image, blood flow information, or the like on the screen. The operation unit 18 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a TCS (Touch Command Screen), and the like, and various instructions are given by an operation of the operator.

  The control unit 15 is connected to the image data generation unit 10, the user interface 16, and the exercise evaluation unit 20, and controls the operation of each unit.

  Moreover, the control part 15 and the exercise | movement evaluation part 20 are provided with memory | storage devices, such as CPU, ROM, and RAM. The storage device stores a control program and an exercise evaluation program, and the CPU executes each program, thereby executing the function of the control unit 15 and the function of the exercise evaluation unit 20. The exercise evaluation program includes a tracking program for executing the function of the tracking unit 22, a movement amount calculating program for executing the function of the movement amount calculating unit 23, and an exercise for executing the function of the exercise start determining unit 31. Start determination program, exercise end determination program for executing the function of the exercise end determination unit 32, exercise measurement program for executing the function of the exercise measurement unit 41, exercise time for executing the function of the exercise time calculation unit 42 The calculation program and the interval time calculation program for executing the function of the interval time calculation unit 43 are configured.

  The CPU executes the tracking program to track the movement side point set in the three-dimensional image. Further, the CPU calculates the movement amount of the movement side point by executing the movement amount calculation program. Further, when the CPU executes the exercise start determination program, the first movement amount is compared with the first threshold value to detect the exercise start frame. Further, when the CPU executes the exercise end determination program, the second movement amount is compared with the second threshold value to detect the exercise end frame. In addition, the CPU executes the exercise measurement program, thereby measuring the number of exercises in all measurement sections and calculating the number of exercises per unit time. Further, the CPU executes the exercise time calculation program to obtain the duration time per exercise. Further, the CPU executes the interval time calculation program to obtain the interval time between each exercise.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for measuring the number of exercises. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the measurement result confirmation operation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the display operation of the measurement result and the evaluation result. First, the operation of measuring the number of exercises will be described with reference to FIG. 3, the confirmation operation of the measurement result will be described with reference to FIG. 4, and then the measurement result and the evaluation result will be described with reference to FIG. The display operation will be described.

(Step S01)
First, the image data generation unit 10 transmits ultrasonic waves to the mother and acquires three-dimensional image data of a plurality of frames that are temporally continuous for the fetus based on the reflected wave. The three-dimensional image data generated by the image data generation unit 10 is stored in the image data storage unit 21.

(Step S02)
Next, the measurer uses the operation unit 18 to designate a section (inspection section) in which the number of exercises is measured among the three-dimensional image data of a plurality of frames. The inspection section is specified by specifying an inspection start frame and an inspection end frame. Further, the inspection section may be specified by specifying the inspection start time and the inspection end time. When the inspection section is designated in this way, the inspection section is set in the tracking unit 22.

(Step S03)
Next, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to specify the three-dimensional image data of the basic frame from the three-dimensional image data of a plurality of frames included in the examination section. For example, the control unit 15 creates a thumbnail image of each frame and displays the thumbnail image on the display unit 17. The operator designates a three-dimensional image of a desired frame from the thumbnail images using the operation unit 18. Specify a 3D image of the frame. When the basic frame is designated, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the basic frame from the image data storage unit 21, and the basic frame three-dimensional image 50 is displayed on the display unit 17 as shown in FIG. Display. Further, the frame designated here is set in the tracking unit 22 as a basic frame.

  In a state where the three-dimensional image 50 of the basic frame is displayed on the display unit 17, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to outline the region (for example, the hand 51 or the mouth 52) where the number of exercises or the like is to be measured. Specify the basic shape to represent and the position of the motion observation point. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to specify a basic shape 60 that represents the contour of the hand 51, and further specifies a plurality of motion observation points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E on the basic shape 60. The coordinate information of the motion observation points 61A to 61E in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional image is output from the user interface 16 to the tracking unit 22, and the motion observation points 61A to 61E are set in the tracking unit 22 as tracking targets. The control unit 15 receives part information representing the hand 51 from the operation unit 18, attaches the part information representing the hand 51 to the motion observation points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E, and outputs the information to the tracking unit 22.

  Similarly, the operator designates a basic shape 62 representing the contour of the mouth 52 using the operation unit 18, and further designates a plurality of motion observation points 63 </ b> A to 63 </ b> C on the basic shape 62. The coordinate information of the motion observation points 63A to 63C in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional image is output from the user interface 16 to the tracking unit 22, and these motion observation points 63A to 63C are set in the tracking unit 22 as tracking targets. The control unit 15 receives part information representing the hand 51 from the operation unit 18, attaches the part information representing the hand 51 to the motion observation points 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> E, and outputs the information to the tracking unit 22.

(Step S04)
The tracking unit 22 tracks the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C designated on the three-dimensional image 50 of the basic frame for each frame included in the examination section. For example, the tracking unit 22 extracts the contours of the hand 51 and the mouth 52 based on the luminance value difference of the three-dimensional image 50, and detects the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set on the contour. The tracking unit 22 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the examination section from the image data storage unit 21, tracks the positions of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set in the basic frame in each frame, The positions of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame are obtained.

(Step S05)
When the tracking unit 22 obtains the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C of each frame, the movement amount calculation unit 23 determines the motion observation point based on the coordinates of the motion observation point obtained in each frame. Find the amount of movement (displacement). First, the movement amount calculation unit 23 calculates the difference between the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C set in the basic frame and the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame. Obtained for each observation point. That is, the movement amount calculation unit 23 obtains a difference (first movement amount) between the basic frame and each frame for each of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C. This first movement amount is used to determine the start of exercise. Further, the movement amount calculation unit 23 adds the part information representing the hand 51 to the first movement amount obtained for the motion observation points 61A to 61E, and obtains the first movement amount obtained for the movement observation side points 63A to 63C. In addition, the part information representing the mouth 52 is attached.

  Further, the movement amount calculation unit 23 calculates the coordinates of the motion observation side points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in each frame and the coordinates of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C in the previous frame of each frame. The difference is obtained for each motion observation point. That is, the movement amount calculation unit 23 obtains a difference (second movement amount) from the previous frame for each of the motion observation points 61A to 61E and 63A to 63C. This second movement amount is used for determining the end of the exercise. Further, the movement amount calculation unit 23 attaches the part information representing the hand 51 to the second movement amount obtained for the movement side points 61A to 61E, and obtains the second movement obtained for the movement side points 63A to 63C. The part information representing the mouth 52 is attached to the quantity.

(Step S06)
When the first movement amount and the second movement amount of each frame are obtained as described above, the motion start determining unit 31 includes the first movement amount of each motion observation point 61A to 61E obtained for each frame, A first threshold value (movement amount serving as a reference for starting exercise) set for the hand 51 is compared, and if the first movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the first movement amount It is determined that the movement of the hand 51 has started in the frame for which Similarly, the movement start determination unit 31 compares the first movement amount of each movement observation point 63A to 63C obtained for each frame with the first threshold set for the mouth 52, and compares the first movement amount with the first threshold value. If the movement amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is determined that the movement of the mouth 52 has started in the frame for which the first movement amount has been obtained. Then, the exercise start determination unit 31 adds the exercise start information indicating the exercise start and the region information indicating the exercised part to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the exercise start, and stores them in the image data storage unit 21. .

  In addition, the exercise end determination unit 32 determines the second movement amount of each of the exercise observation points 61A to 61E obtained for each frame after the frame determined to start the exercise, and the second threshold set for the hand 51. If the second movement amount is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the movement of the hand 51 is completed in the frame for which the second movement amount is obtained. Judge. In motion, the motion end determination unit 32 determines the second movement amount of each motion observation point 63A to 63C obtained for each frame after the frame determined to start the motion, and the second amount set for the mouth 52. When the second movement amount is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value by comparing with the threshold value, it is determined that the movement of the mouth 52 is completed in the frame for which the second movement amount is obtained. Then, the exercise end determination unit 32 adds the exercise end information indicating the end of exercise and the region information indicating the exercised part to the three-dimensional image data of the frame determined to be the end of exercise, and stores them in the image data storage unit 21. .

(Step S07, Step S08)
When the motion determination unit 30 detects a motion (step S07, Yes), the analysis unit 40 analyzes the motion based on the determination result by the motion determination unit 30. The exercise measuring unit 41 counts the number of exercises of each part included in the examination section, with one exercise from the frame determined to start exercise to the frame determined to end exercise. Furthermore, the exercise measuring unit 41 obtains the number of exercises per unit time for each part. Further, the exercise time calculation unit 42 obtains the duration per exercise for each part. Further, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains the time between exercises (interval time) for each part. The number of exercises in the examination section, the number of exercises per unit time, and the interval time obtained by the analysis unit 40 are stored in a storage unit (not shown) set in the exercise evaluation unit 20.

  On the other hand, when the exercise determination unit 30 does not detect exercise (step S7, No), the analysis unit 40 does not perform analysis and the process ends.

  As described above, the movement amount of the movement observation point is obtained, and since the movement start or movement end is determined based on a preset threshold value, it is more quantitative than the conventional method of visually determining movement. Judgment is possible. As a result, it is possible to prevent the number of exercises from being counted and variations in exercise determination by the measurer. Furthermore, it is possible to measure the number of exercises at a plurality of sites at once.

  Next, the measurement result checking operation will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S10)
First, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises in the examination section from a storage unit (not shown) installed in the exercise evaluation unit 20 and displays the number of exercises on the display unit 17. When the number of exercises of a plurality of parts is measured, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises of the part designated by the operator from the storage unit (not shown) and causes the display unit 17 to display it. For example, the control unit 15 causes the display unit 17 to display a list of sites for which the number of exercises has been measured, and the operator designates a desired site using the operation unit 18. The control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises of the designated part from the storage unit (not shown) and causes the display unit 17 to display it. In the example shown in FIG. 2, since the number of movements of the hand 51 and mouth 52 of the fetus is measured, the control unit 15 stores the number of movements designated by the operator of the hand or mouth from the storage unit (not shown). The data is read and displayed on the display unit 17. For example, when a hand is designated by the operator, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises of the hand 51 from a storage unit (not shown) and displays it on the display unit 17.

(Step S11)
Next, the control unit 15 reads the three-dimensional image data of the frame attached with the exercise start information from the image data storage unit 21 and causes the display unit 17 to display it. At this time, when the operator designates a target part using the operation unit 18, the control unit 15 displays the three-dimensional image data of the frame attached with the part information representing the designated part and the exercise start information. The data is read from the data storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17. In addition, when a plurality of 3D image data of a frame attached with exercise start information is stored in the image data storage unit 21, the control unit 15 sets all the 3D image data attached with exercise start information. Is read from the image data storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 17.

(Step S12, Step S13)
Then, the operator refers to the three-dimensional image of the frame determined to start the exercise displayed on the display unit 17 and confirms whether or not the exercise start is appropriately determined. When the operator determines that the timing for starting the exercise needs to be corrected (step S12, Yes), the operator uses the operation unit 18 from the three-dimensional image displayed on the display unit 17, A three-dimensional image of a frame that is determined to be corrected is designated. If there are a plurality of frames determined to be corrected, the operator designates a plurality of three-dimensional images using the operation unit 18. The control unit 15 accepts the designation, displays the three-dimensional image of the designated frame on the display unit 17, and further reads out the three-dimensional image data of several frames before and after the designated frame from the image data storage unit 21. To be displayed on the display unit 17. For example, the control unit 15 causes the display unit 17 to display a 3D image of a frame for which correction is determined to be necessary, a 3D image of 10 frames before and after the frame, and a total of 11 frames.

(Step S14)
When canceling the exercise, the operator uses the operation unit 18 to give an instruction to cancel the exercise to the three-dimensional image of the designated frame. When the controller 15 receives the cancellation instruction, the controller 15 deletes the exercise start information attached to the three-dimensional image data of the frame specified by the operator.

(Step S15)
In accordance with the cancellation instruction, the exercise measuring unit 41 subtracts the number of exercises from the number of exercises in the examination section to obtain the corrected number of exercises. Moreover, the exercise | movement measurement part 41 calculates | requires the number of exercises per unit time after correction | amendment by dividing the number of exercises after correction | amendment by the time of a test | inspection area.

(Step S16)
In addition, the interval time calculation unit 43 obtains an interval time between exercises detected before and after the exercise canceled by the exercise start cancellation instruction.

  On the other hand, when the operator determines that there is no correction with respect to the timing of starting exercise (step S12, No), the process ends.

  As described above, by displaying the three-dimensional image of the frame determined to start the exercise on the display unit 17, the operator can check and correct the frame that should not be determined to start the exercise.

  Next, the display operation of the measurement result and the evaluation result will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S20)
First, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises per unit time from a storage unit (not shown) installed in the exercise evaluation unit 20 and displays the number of exercises on the display unit 17. When the number of exercises of a plurality of parts is measured, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises per unit time of the part designated by the operator from the storage unit (not shown) and causes the display unit 17 to display it. For example, the control unit 15 causes the display unit 17 to display a list of sites for which the number of exercises has been measured, and the operator designates a desired site using the operation unit 18. The control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises per unit time of the specified part from the storage unit (not shown) and displays it on the display unit 17. In the example shown in FIG. 2, since the number of movements of the hand 51 and mouth 52 of the fetus is measured, the control unit 15 stores the number of movements per unit time of the part designated by the operator of the hand or mouth. Read out from the display unit (not shown) and displayed on the display unit 17. For example, when a hand is designated by the operator, the control unit 15 reads out the number of exercises per unit time of the hand 51 from a storage unit (not shown) and causes the display unit 17 to display it.

(Step S21)
Further, the control unit 15 reads out the interval time from a storage unit (not shown) installed in the exercise evaluation unit 20 and displays it on the display unit 17. For example, since the hand is designated by the operator, the control unit 15 reads the interval time of the hand 51 from the storage unit (not shown) and displays it on the display unit 17. In addition, when a plurality of movements are detected, a plurality of interval times are stored in the storage unit (not shown). For example, the control unit 15 reads all interval times from the storage unit (not shown). Display on the display unit 17.

(Step S22, Step S23)
Next, when the operator gives an instruction to display an image included in the exercise section using the operation unit 18 (step S22, Yes), the control unit 15 causes each frame included in the section determined as exercise to be displayed. The three-dimensional image data is read from the image data storage unit 21, and the three-dimensional image of each frame is displayed on the display unit 17 in time order (step S23). For example, since the hand is designated by the operator, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of each frame included in the motion section of the hand 51 from the image data storage unit 21, and obtains the three-dimensional image of each frame. They are displayed on the display unit 17 in time order.

(Step S24, Step S23)
When another motion section exists for a certain part (step S24, Yes), the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the motion section, and displays the three-dimensional image of each frame in time order. It is displayed on the unit 17 (step S23). For example, when another motion section exists for the hand, the control unit 15 reads out the three-dimensional image data of the frame included in the motion section from the image data storage unit 21 and causes the display unit 17 to display it.

(Step S24, Step S25)
And when there is no other exercise section about a certain part (Step S24, No), control part 15 checks whether an exercise section exists about other parts, and an exercise section about other parts exists. If it exists (step S25, Yes), the processing from step S20 to step S24 is repeated. For example, when 3D image data of frames included in all the exercise sections is displayed for the hand 51 and there is no other exercise section for the hand 51, next, the mouth 52 is targeted for the steps S20 to S24. Execute the process.

  As described above, by displaying the three-dimensional images of the frames included in the section determined as exercise on the display unit 17 in time order, it is possible to confirm how each unit is moving.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen for demonstrating the setting of the motion observation point with respect to an image. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the measurement operation | movement of the number of exercises. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the confirmation operation | movement of a measurement result. It is a flowchart for demonstrating display operation | movement of a measurement result and an evaluation result.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image data generation part 15 Control part 16 User interface (UI)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Display part 18 Operation part 20 Motion evaluation part 21 Image data memory | storage part 22 Tracking part 23 Movement amount calculation part 30 Movement judgment part 31 Movement start judgment part 32 Movement end judgment part 40 Analysis part 41 Movement measurement part 42 Movement time calculation part 43 Interval time calculator

Claims (11)

Image generation means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject and generating ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames in which the acquired times are continuous based on the reflected waves from the subject;
A motion observation point tracking means for setting a motion observation point with respect to an ultrasonic image of a desired reference frame among the ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames, and tracking the position of the motion observation point for each frame;
The difference between the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasonic image of each frame obtained by the motion observation side point tracking means and the position of the motion observation point set in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame is the first movement amount. Further, a movement amount calculating means for calculating a difference in position of the movement side point between temporally adjacent frames as a second movement amount;
Motion start determining means for determining the motion start of the motion observation point based on the first movement amount;
For frames after the frame determined to start the exercise, an exercise end determination means for determining the end of the motion of the motion observation point based on the second movement amount;
Exercise measuring means for counting the number of exercises as one exercise from the exercise start to the exercise end;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The motion observation point tracking means sets the motion observation point for each of a plurality of parts represented in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame, and sets the position of the motion observation point set for each part for each frame. To track and
The movement amount calculating means includes a position of a motion observation point in an ultrasonic image of each frame obtained by the motion observation side point tracking means and a position of a motion observation point set in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame. The difference is determined as the first movement amount for each movement observation point for each region,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise start determination unit determines the exercise start of each part based on a first movement amount obtained for each part. The motion observation point tracking means uses the frame determined to be the end of the motion as a reference frame for the next motion, and determines the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasonic image of the reference frame for the next motion as the reference for the next motion. Track every frame after frame,
The movement amount calculating means includes a position of a motion observation point in an ultrasonic image of each frame after the reference frame of the next movement and a position of a motion observation point in an ultrasonic image of the reference frame of the next movement. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a difference is obtained as the first movement amount.   The ultrasound according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising exercise time calculation means for calculating a time between frames determined to be the end of exercise from frames determined to be the exercise start. Diagnostic device.   5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an interval time calculating unit that calculates a time between frames determined to start the next exercise from the frame determined to end the exercise. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for causing the display means to continuously display ultrasonic images of frames between frames determined to be the end of exercise from frames determined to start the exercise. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that causes a display unit to display an ultrasonic image of a frame between frames determined to start the next exercise from the frame determined to end the exercise. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for extracting an ultrasonic image of a frame determined to start the motion from the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames and displaying the ultrasonic image on a display means. Item 6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 5.   9. The exercise measuring unit subtracts the number of exercises according to the erroneous number when it is determined that the exercise start frame displayed on the display unit is erroneously started. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1. Image storage means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject, and storing ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames that are generated based on reflected waves from the subject and for which the acquired times are continuous;
A motion observation point is set for an ultrasonic image of a desired reference frame among the plurality of consecutive frames of ultrasonic images stored in the image storage means, and the position of the motion observation point is tracked for each frame. A movement observation point tracking means to perform,
The difference between the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasound image of each frame obtained by the motion observation point tracking means and the position of the motion observation point set in the ultrasound image of the reference frame is used as the first movement amount. A movement amount calculating means for determining, as a second movement amount, a difference in position of the motion observation point between the temporally adjacent frames;
Motion start determining means for determining the motion start of the motion observation point based on the first movement amount;
For frames after the frame determined to start the exercise, an exercise end determination means for determining the end of the motion of the motion observation point based on the second movement amount;
Exercise measuring means for counting the number of exercises as one exercise from the exercise start to the exercise end;
An ultrasonic diagnosis support apparatus comprising: On the computer,
From the image storage unit that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and stores ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames that are generated based on the reflected waves from the subject and that have acquired times, the continuous plural Read out the ultrasonic image of the frame, set the motion observation point for the ultrasonic image of the desired reference frame among the multiple frames of ultrasonic images, and track the position of the motion observation point for each frame A motion observation point tracking function,
The difference between the position of the motion observation point in the ultrasound image of each frame obtained by the motion observation point tracking function and the position of the motion observation point set in the ultrasound image of the reference frame is used as the first movement amount. A movement amount calculation function for obtaining, as a second movement amount, a difference in position of the movement side point between temporally adjacent frames;
A movement start determination function for determining movement start of the movement observation point based on the first movement amount;
For the frames after the frame determined to start the exercise, an exercise end determination function for determining the end of the motion of the motion observation point based on the second movement amount;
An exercise measurement function that counts the number of exercises as one exercise from the exercise start to the exercise end;
An ultrasonic diagnosis support program characterized by causing