JP2009000148A - Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the panning and zooming of images without using a control part such as a track ball in an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Change of the positional relation between an ultrasonic probe 10 and a display 30 is detected by a position sensor composed of a position signal transmission part 51 disposed in the ultrasonic probe 10 and a position signal transmission part 52 disposed in the display 30, and the change of the positional relation is reflected in an ultrasonic image displayed in the display. With this structure, such operation as panning the ultrasonic image displayed in the display or the control of the direction of display or the depth of a cross section of a three-dimensional image is possible by bringing the display close to the probe or separating the display from the probe or by changing or rotating the angle, and consequently, the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be significantly improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image by detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to a subject, and displays the ultrasonic image on a display. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of changing an ultrasonic image displayed on the display according to a change in a positional relationship between the display and the ultrasonic probe.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the living body of the ultrasonic waves, and generates ultrasonic waves based on the received ultrasonic signals. An image is generated. A B mode for observing a tomographic image of a soft tissue of a living body, and an M mode for observing in detail a temporal morphological change of a heart, a blood vessel, etc. by arranging the one-line tissue image in parallel along the time axis. There are various operation modes such as a Doppler mode in which a spectrum of blood flow and a spatial spread are acquired using the Doppler effect. Furthermore, it is possible to measure structural dimensions such as distance, area, volume, etc. from the B-mode image, and measure temporal changes from the M-mode image. It covers areas such as the abdomen, mammary gland, urology, obstetrics and gynecology.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  As shown in this figure, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a probe 1) having a transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject (not shown), and a transmission signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 that controls the received signal and processes the received signal, the display 3 that displays the processed signal as an image, and the operator for the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 make various settings. It consists of an input unit 4 and various peripheral devices 5 for inputting values and instructions. For example, a plurality of probes 1 are detachably coupled to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 according to the purpose of diagnosis, and the display 3 is placed on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2. The input unit 4 is provided integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 2 and includes a plurality of switches (including a touch command screen), a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and the like as input means (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

Since such an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has low invasiveness and enables real-time image observation, it is used on a daily basis in the medical field. Usually, the probe 1 held in the right hand by the operator is used for the subject. An ultrasonic image of a desired diagnostic part is obtained by applying to the body surface, and the image is displayed on the display 3 mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 for diagnosis. Further, when obtaining a desired ultrasonic image or performing various measurements, the operator holds the probe 1 with the right hand and appropriately uses the switch of the input unit 4, keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc. with the left hand. Will be operated.
JP 2006-192030 A

  By the way, electronic devices and the like are becoming more and more miniaturized, and ultrasonic image diagnostic devices are also made smaller and lighter so that they can be used more easily at the bedside of inpatients and emergency medical settings. Development is expected. With the recent spread of liquid crystals and plasma displays, it is possible to make the display (monitor) thinner, and various switches and keyboards as input means can also be used as a touch command screen. It has become possible to delete from the components installed in the diagnostic imaging device body, but the trackball used for operations such as panning and zooming of images can be deleted from the components and replaced It was difficult to get the function. Furthermore, the development of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is expected. In such an apparatus, the operator must hold the probe main body with the other hand while holding the probe in one hand. Because there is a restriction that the operation must be performed, it is necessary to reduce the number of operations using the operation panel as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 generates an ultrasonic image by detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to a subject, and displays the ultrasonic image. In an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus for displaying on a device, a position sensor for detecting information on a relative positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the display, and the ultrasonic probe and the display detected by the position sensor And image processing means for reflecting the change in the positional relationship with the ultrasonic image displayed on the display.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the position sensor includes a transmitting unit provided in the ultrasonic probe and a receiving unit provided in the display. And

  The invention according to claim 3 is the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe detected by the position sensor and the display are connected. There is provided switching means for switching between valid / invalid of reflecting the change in the positional relationship in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the display is operated by holding the ultrasonic probe in one hand. The operator is capable of holding the other hand in the other hand.

  As shown in the section of the means for solving the above problems, according to the invention of each claim described in the claims of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, for example, panning or zooming of an ultrasonic image displayed on the display by moving the display closer to or away from the probe, or changing the angle or rotating the display, Alternatively, since operations such as the display direction of the three-dimensional image and the cross-sectional depth can be performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be downsized and the operability can be greatly improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display an image on the display device so that the operator wants to observe it only by moving the display device with reference to the position of the ultrasonic probe as the image collection source.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the degree of freedom in using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be increased by appropriately selecting a conventional screen display and a screen display to which the present invention is applied.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the display can be used for diagnosis by the operator's hand, and a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  This ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus controls an ultrasonic probe 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a probe 10) having a transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject P, and controls transmission signals and processes reception signals. Or an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 that generates an ultrasonic image, and a display 30 that displays a generated ultrasonic image or the like and that can display a color, such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. .

  One or a plurality of probes 10 having different specifications depending on the purpose of diagnosis are detachably coupled to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and are selectively used. A position signal transmission unit 51 described later is provided. The display 30 is movably mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and a position signal receiving unit 52 described later is provided here. The position signal transmission unit 51 and the position signal reception unit 52 constitute a position sensor that detects the position and inclination of the display 30 with respect to the probe 10.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 includes a control unit 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, a signal processing unit 25, an input unit 40, and a position signal processing unit 50. The control unit 21 includes a microprocessor, a memory, and the like, and the operations of the transmission / reception unit 22, the signal processing unit 25, the display 30 and the like according to a signal from the input unit 40 and the position signal processing unit 50 or a preprogrammed procedure. Is controlled organically.

  The transmission / reception unit 22 includes a transmission circuit 23 and a reception circuit 24, and the transmission circuit 23 applies a high-frequency voltage pulse to the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the probe 10. In response to this voltage pulse, the ultrasonic transducer vibrates mechanically, whereby an ultrasonic pulse is generated and emitted to the subject P.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic pulse radiated from the probe 10 to the subject P propagates in the living body, is reflected one after another by the discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance during propagation, and returns to the probe 10. The reflected wave is converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic transducer of the probe 10 and supplied to the receiving circuit 24 as an ultrasonic signal. In the receiving circuit 24, an ultrasonic signal is amplified by a preamplifier (not shown), and then an analog signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and further subjected to a reception delay calculation and the like, and then sent to the signal processing unit 25. It is done.

  The signal processing unit 25 has a signal processing circuit 26 and an image generation circuit 27. Accordingly, the ultrasonic signal from the receiving circuit 24 is first converted into a B-mode image signal by performing envelope detection, logarithmic amplification, and the like in the signal processing circuit 26. The converted B-mode image signal is supplied to the image generation circuit 27, and is temporarily stored after processing in a digital scan converter (DSC) that converts the image signal into a standard television scanning image signal. Then, the stored digital format signal is read out and converted into an analog format signal by the D / A conversion circuit, and the luminance signal converted into the analog format is supplied to the display unit 30 to be in the B mode. Displayed as an image.

  In addition, although the image generation in the B mode has been illustrated, various other processes for generating an image such as the M mode, the Doppler mode, and the three-dimensional mode are performed. Since it is not specially related to the purpose, description thereof will be omitted here.

  The input unit 40 is for an operator to input various setting values, instructions, and the like to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and includes various switches provided integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20. Or a touch command screen using the screen of the display 30.

  The position signal processing unit 50 receives the position signal transmitted from the position signal transmitting unit 51 provided in the probe 10 by the position signal receiving unit 52 provided in the display unit 30, whereby the probe 10, the display unit 30, Information on the distance between them, that is, data relating to the distance, orientation, inclination, etc. between the probe 10 and the display 30, and on the basis of this data, operations for panning and zooming the ultrasonic image to be displayed on the display 30, and This is reflected in the movement of the cross section of the three-dimensional image.

  In FIG. 2, the distance between them and the tilt angle and the rotation angle of the display 30 with respect to the axis of the probe 10 are measured by the probe 10 provided with the position signal transmission unit 51 and the display 30 provided with the position signal reception unit 52. It is shown in order to explain the basic way of thinking. That is, the position information emitted from the position signal transmitting unit 51 provided in the probe 10 is received by the position signal receiving unit 52 provided in the display 30 so that the distance between the two and the indicator for the axis of the probe 10 are displayed. 30 tilt angles and rotation angles are measured in real time as absolute positional information between them. Therefore, the position information when the probe 10 and the display device 30 are in a certain positional relationship and the size and orientation of the ultrasonic image displayed on the display device 30 at that time are set in advance as a reference. The transmission of the position information between the position signal transmission unit 51 and the position signal reception unit 52 can be performed by a known appropriate means such as magnetic, electrical, and acoustic.

  Then, the position information measured in real time is supplied from the position signal receiving unit 52 to the position information processing unit 50 and compared with the reference position information of the probe 10 and the display 30 stored in advance as described above. The Therefore, the positional relationship between the probe 10 and the display device 30 measured in real time can be measured as a change from the reference position as a relative change. Therefore, the present invention intends to reflect such a change in the positional relationship between the probe 10 and the display 30 in the image M displayed on the display 30.

  When a plurality of probes 10 can be connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, from the position signal transmission unit 51 of the probe 10 that is currently transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the subject. This position information is set to be selectively received by the position signal receiving unit 52 of the display 30.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship of ultrasonic images displayed on the probe 10 when the display 30 is placed at an appropriate distance with respect to the probe 10 whose tip is in contact with the body surface of the subject P. It is shown in. That is, the probe 10 is brought into contact with a fixed position with respect to the subject P and collects image data of a predetermined diagnostic region. At this time, the distance between the probe 10 and the display 30 is determined by the position signal receiving unit 52 provided in the display 30 receiving the position information emitted from the position signal transmitting unit 51 provided in the probe 10. By doing so, it is measured as absolute position information between the two. Accordingly, as described above, the measured position information is converted into a change from a reference point stored in advance, and the size of the ultrasonic image displayed on the display 30 is determined based on the change amount. To.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the absolute value of the distance between the probe 10 and the display device 30 is D0, the size of the ultrasonic image displayed on the screen of the display device 30 is M0. Suppose that Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the display 30 is brought closer to the probe 10 and the distance between the two is reduced to D1, it is displayed on the screen of the display 30 by that amount. The size of the ultrasonic image is enlarged like M1. Conversely, when the display 30 is moved away from the probe 10, the size of the displayed ultrasonic image is reduced. Needless to say, the display itself is the same, and only the size is enlarged or reduced.

  In this way, by converting the distance D between the probe 10 and the display 30 into zoom information of the ultrasonic image, it is displayed on the screen of the display 30 without operating the input unit 40 such as an operation panel. The size of the ultrasound image can be changed. The process of converting the distance information D into the zoom information of the ultrasonic image is executed by sending a command from the control unit 21 to the signal processing unit 25 based on the information received by the position signal processor 50.

  In addition, when the ultrasonic image of the diagnostic part is displayed on the screen of the display 30 as a three-dimensional image, the display 30 is moved (rotated) around the probe 10 while the position of the probe 10 is fixed. By tilting or tilting, the ultrasonic image displayed on the display 30 is rotated and tilted according to the movement of the display 30 and displayed as a three-dimensional ultrasonic image viewed from the direction of the display 30. It can also be made to do. As a result, the three-dimensional image can be observed from all angles.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the display 30 is in the positional relationship indicated by the symbol (A) with respect to the probe 10, a three-dimensional image M <b> 2 of the diagnostic part is displayed on the screen of the display 30. Then, after the display 30 is moved (rotated / tilted) around the probe 10 as indicated by an arrow AR1, the probe 10 at the position (B) is moved to the position indicated by the symbol (B). Can be viewed from the direction of the display 30 and the three-dimensional image M3 of the diagnostic part can be displayed on the screen. Also in this case, the position information emitted from the position signal transmission unit 51 provided in the probe 10 is received by the position signal reception unit 52 provided in the display 30 so that the absolute position information between the two is received. The current positional relationship between the probe 10 and the display 30 is regarded as a relative change from the reference point, and the result is processed by the position signal processor 50 and sent to the signal processing unit 25 via the control unit 21. This is realized by sending a command and displaying a three-dimensional image M3 corresponding to the inclination and direction of the display 30 with respect to the probe 10 on the screen of the display 30.

  In addition, with reference to FIG. 3, it has been described that the ultrasonic image displayed on the display device 30 is enlarged / reduced according to the distance between the probe 10 and the display device 30. However, when a three-dimensional image is displayed In addition, the cross-sectional position of the three-dimensional image (for example, the cross-sectional depth of the observation site) can be changed according to the distance between the probe 10 and the display 30. In other words, the distance of the display 30 relative to the probe 10 is to be reflected in the depth of the three-dimensional image displayed on the display 30. That is. A shallow cross-sectional image can be displayed by moving the display 30 closer to the probe 10 while the position of the probe 10 is fixed, and conversely, a deep cross-sectional image can be displayed by moving the display 30 away from the probe 10. .

  Further, from the information on the distance between the probe 10 and the display 30 and the angle of the display 30 with respect to the probe 10, the information is displayed on the display 30 when the display 30 is facing the front with respect to the probe 10. The ultrasonic image is adjusted so as to be displayed in the center of the screen, and when the display 30 is moved in the horizontal direction, the ultrasonic image displayed on the screen is not moved, but only the appearance of the display 30. Can also be moved.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic image M4 is displayed on the display 30 facing the front with respect to the probe 10, and the operator observes the ultrasonic image M4. On the other hand, when the display device 30 is moved to the left side of the figure, the ultrasonic image M4 is displayed on the screen of the display device 30 on the right side according to the amount of movement as indicated by reference numeral M5. It will be displayed biased. On the contrary, when the display device 30 is moved to the right side of the figure, the ultrasonic image M4 is biased to the left side in accordance with the amount of movement as indicated by reference numeral M6 on the screen of the display device 30. It will be displayed.

  If such a display method is employed, the display 30 is placed in front of the probe 10, that is, between the probe 10 and the observer only when the operator (or the observer) wants to see the ultrasonic image M4. Just put it. Therefore, the diagnostic operation can be performed in such a manner that the subject is seen through the screen of the display 30. This means that, for example, when a head-up display is worn and surgery is performed while observing the target site, the operator can only display the screen when necessary without changing the positional relationship between the patient and the operator. Since it is possible to observe the image by bringing it to the front, it is possible to proceed with the surgery more safely and smoothly.

  The present invention is not limited to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus in which the display 30 is disposed on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and the operator has the display 30 in one hand and operates the probe 10 with the other hand. When applied to such a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, a greater effect can be achieved.

  That is, in the portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, if the display 30 is held in the hand, the probe 10 must be operated with the other hand. However, according to the present invention, by moving the display 30 closer to or away from the probe 10, or by changing or rotating the angle with respect to the probe 10, panning, zooming, etc. Since the operation becomes possible, the operability is greatly improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said Example, It is possible to implement as a various form. For example, a normal display method as in the past, regardless of the mode in which the change in the positional relationship between the probe and the display is reflected in the display of the ultrasonic image displayed on the display and the position between the probe and the display A switching means for switching between the mode for taking a picture may be provided.

1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing shown in order to demonstrate the fundamental view about the measurement of the positional information in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the usage condition of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other example of the use condition of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the further another example of the use condition of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the conventional ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe 20 Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 21 Control unit 25 Signal processing unit 30 Display 50 Position signal processing part 51 Position signal transmission part 52 Position signal receiving part

Claims (4)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that detects an reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to a subject, generates an ultrasonic image, and displays the ultrasonic image on a display device,
A position sensor for detecting information on a relative positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the display;
Ultrasonic waves characterized by comprising image processing means for reflecting a change in the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the display device detected by the position sensor in an ultrasonic image displayed on the display device. Diagnostic imaging device. The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor includes a transmitter in the ultrasonic probe and a receiver in the display. And a switching unit that switches between valid / invalid of reflecting the change in the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the display detected by the position sensor in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein an operator who operates the ultrasonic probe in one hand can be held in the other hand. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to item 1.

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