JP2009061076A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate puncture support data capable of correctly monitoring a puncturing state. <P>SOLUTION: A visual field angle setting part 143 sets the visual field angle of fly-through image data, based on MPR image data to be generated from volume data which is obtained by the three-dimensional scanning of a preliminary photographing mode with respect to a three-dimensional area including an organ to be punctured. Then, an MPR image data generating part 6 generates a plurality of kinds of MPR image data including the insertion direction or the point of a puncture needle 150, based on the volume data which is obtained by the three-dimensional scanning of a real photographing mode to be performed while inserting the puncture needle 150 toward the organ to be punctured. A fly-through image data generating part 7 generates the fly-through image data having the visual field angle by defining the point and insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 as a view point and an eye direction. A puncture support data generating part 8 generates puncture support data by synthesizing the MPR image data with the fly-through image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables examination and treatment monitoring using a puncture needle.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus radiates an ultrasonic wave generated from a vibration element provided in an ultrasonic probe into a subject, receives a reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance of the subject tissue, and receives the reflected wave on the monitor. Since real-time two-dimensional image data can be easily observed with a simple operation by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface, it is widely used for functional diagnosis and morphological diagnosis of various organs.

  On the other hand, invasive examination methods and treatment methods using catheters, puncture needles, etc. have been developed under the observation of two-dimensional image data collected by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. By performing puncture for tissue collection under observation of two-dimensional image data, safety in examination and treatment has been dramatically improved.

  When puncturing an examination / treatment site under observation of two-dimensional image data, a puncture needle is attached to a needle guide of a puncture adapter provided in an ultrasonic probe, and puncture is performed by inserting along the needle guide. An ultrasonic probe capable of accurately inserting a needle into a desired site has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 11 shows an ultrasonic probe provided with a conventional puncture adapter, and the ultrasonic probe 201a of Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 11A is a head portion having a plurality of vibration elements arranged. A puncture adapter 216a that is detachable with respect to 211a is attached, and a needle guide 217 for guiding insertion of the puncture needle 218a is provided on a side surface of the puncture adapter 216a. In this case, the direction of the needle guide 217 is set so that the insertion direction of the puncture needle 218a matches the slice cross section of the subject from which the two-dimensional image data is generated. Accordingly, by inserting the puncture needle 218a into the subject along the needle guide 217 of the puncture adapter 216a with the head portion 211a in contact with the body surface of the subject, the body near the end of the head portion 211a. Information on the puncture needle 218a inserted from the surface toward the examination / treatment site is displayed superimposed on the two-dimensional image data of the examination / treatment site.

  On the other hand, in the ultrasonic probe 201b of Patent Document 2 shown in FIG. 11 (b), a puncture adapter 216b is detachably attached to a notch groove 219 formed in the head portion 211b. A needle guide (not shown) in which the insertion angle is set. Then, in the same manner as in FIG. 11A, the puncture needle 218b is inserted into the subject along the needle guide of the puncture adapter 216b with the head portion 211b in contact with the body surface of the subject. Accordingly, the puncture needle 218b is inserted from the surface of the body just below the notch groove 219 of the head portion 211b toward the examination / treatment site, and information on the puncture needle 218b is superimposed on the two-dimensional image data of the examination / treatment site. Is displayed.

Further, in recent years, three-dimensional data of a subject (by a method of mechanically moving an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibration elements are arranged one-dimensionally or a method using an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibration elements are arranged in a two-dimensional manner ( A method for collecting volume data) has been developed, and a method for performing examinations and treatments using the puncture needle under the observation of MPR image data and three-dimensional image data generated based on the volume data has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
JP 2004-147984 A JP 2005-342109 A JP 2000-185041 A

  According to the various methods described above, the puncture needle can be inserted into the examination / treatment site while confirming the tip position of the puncture needle or the like with the two-dimensional image data or the three-dimensional image data. The safety of examinations and treatments has been significantly improved compared to the case of performing without observation.

  However, when puncturing an examination / treatment site under observation of two-dimensional image data collected using the ultrasonic probe described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, biological tissue in the insertion path of the puncture needle Due to the non-uniformity of the characteristics, the insertion direction of the puncture needle may deviate from a predetermined slice cross section. In such a case, it is impossible to confirm the insertion state of the puncture needle with the two-dimensional image data, and it is difficult to accurately puncture the examination / treatment site.

  On the other hand, according to the method of inserting the puncture needle under the observation of the three-dimensional image data described in Patent Document 3, it is possible to stably grasp the rough position of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment site. Although there are blood vessels and organs located in the vicinity of this examination / treatment site, the insertion position and distance of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment site, as well as erroneous insertion into the surrounding blood vessels and organs. It was impossible to accurately grasp the presence or absence.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to be able to accurately puncture an examination / treatment site such as a tumor without damaging surrounding organs or blood vessels. The object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention generates puncture support data for examination or treatment using a puncture needle based on volume data collected by three-dimensional scanning of a subject. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting means for setting a viewpoint and a line-of-sight direction based on information on a tip position and a direction of insertion of the puncture needle, and a field of view of fly-through image data based on the viewpoint View angle setting means for setting an angle, and a fly-through image for generating the fly-through image data by processing volume data in a generation region of fly-through image data determined based on the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction and the view angle Puncture support data for generating the puncture support data using the data generation means and the fly-through image data A generation unit is characterized in that a display means for displaying the puncture assistance data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately puncture an examination / treatment site without damaging surrounding organs or blood vessels. For this reason, not only the safety and efficiency in examination / treatment are dramatically improved, but also the burden on the operator and the subject is reduced.

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

  In an embodiment of the present invention described below, insertion of a puncture needle using volume data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception in a preliminary imaging mode with respect to a three-dimensional region including a puncture target organ (examination / treatment site) of a subject is described. A plurality of MPR image data including directions are generated, and the viewing angle of the fly-through image data is set based on these MPR image data. Next, ultrasonic transmission / reception in the main imaging mode is performed on the three-dimensional region while inserting the puncture needle toward the puncture target organ, and the insertion direction or the tip of the puncture needle is determined based on the volume data obtained at this time. A plurality of MPR image data, fly tip image data having the visual field angle with the distal end portion and the insertion direction of the puncture needle as the viewpoint and the line-of-sight direction are generated. Then, the puncture support data obtained by combining the above-described MPR image data and fly-through image data is displayed in real time to monitor the examination / treatment of the puncture target organ.

  In the following embodiments, volume data is generated based on three-dimensional B-mode data collected by a so-called two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and this volume data is used. Although the case of generating fly-through image data will be described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, volume data may be collected by mechanically moving an ultrasonic probe in which vibration elements are arranged one-dimensionally instead of a two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe, or other ultrasonic waves such as color Doppler data. Volume data may be generated based on the data.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIGS. 2 and 4 are specific examples of a transmission / reception unit / reception signal processing unit and a volume data generation unit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a structure.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 transmits an ultrasonic pulse (transmitted ultrasonic wave) to a three-dimensional region of a subject and receives an ultrasonic reflected wave (received ultrasonic wave) obtained from the subject. ) Is converted into an electric signal (received signal), and the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 3 is used as a driving signal for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in a predetermined direction of the subject. A transmission / reception unit 2 for phasing and adding reception signals of a plurality of channels obtained from these oscillating elements supplied to the elements, and a reception signal processing unit 4 for generating B-mode data by performing signal processing on the reception signals after phasing addition; Volume data for generating three-dimensional data (volume data) by arranging B-mode data obtained by three-dimensional scanning on the subject in the preliminary imaging mode and the main imaging mode in correspondence with the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction It has a generating unit 5.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 also performs an MPR (Multi-Planar-Reconstruction) image on a desired slice section (hereinafter referred to as an MPR section) in the volume data collected in the preliminary imaging mode and the main imaging mode. The fly-through image data is generated based on the MPR image data generation unit 6 that generates data, the volume data collected in the main photographing mode, and the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction information supplied from the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction setting unit 13 described later. Generated in the preliminary imaging mode and the main imaging mode, the fly-through image data generation unit 7 to be generated, the puncture support data generation unit 8 that generates the puncture support data by combining the MPR image data and the fly-through image data described above. MPR image data, fly-through image data generated in the main photographing mode, and puncture support And a display unit 9 for displaying data.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is attached to the end of the ultrasonic probe 3, and the puncture adapter 10 for setting the puncture position and direction of the puncture needle 150 with respect to the subject, and the puncture adapter 10 A puncture distance detector 11 for detecting a puncture distance (depth of insertion) of a puncture needle 150 that is slidably attached to a provided needle guide (not shown), and the needle guide in the puncture adapter 10 exceeds the needle guide. Based on the relative position and inclination angle with respect to the acoustic probe 3 and the insertion distance of the puncture needle 150 detected by the insertion distance detection unit 11, the position coordinate of the tip of the puncture needle 150 inserted into the subject is detected. The puncture needle tip detection unit 12 to be set, and the line-of-sight and the line-of-sight direction necessary for generating fly-through image data are set based on the detected tip position coordinate and the moving direction thereof. Point / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13, input of puncture adapter identification information, setting of MPR cross section, setting of viewing angle in fly-through image data, and further input of various command signals, etc. A scanning control unit 15 that controls ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a three-dimensional region, and a system control unit 16 that comprehensively controls the above-described units are provided.

  Below, the detail of the above-mentioned each unit with which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of the present Example was provided is demonstrated.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 has M vibrating elements (not shown) arranged two-dimensionally at its tip, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by bringing the tip into contact with the body surface of the subject. The vibration element is an electroacoustic transducer that converts electrical pulses (driving signals) into ultrasonic pulses (transmitting ultrasonic waves) during transmission, and converts ultrasonic reflected waves (receiving ultrasonic waves) into electrical reception signals during reception. It has a function to do. Each of these vibration elements is connected to the transmission / reception unit 2 via an M channel multi-core cable (not shown). In the present embodiment, the case where the sector scanning ultrasonic probe 3 in which M vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged is used will be described, but an ultrasonic probe corresponding to linear scanning, convex scanning, or the like may be used. I do not care.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a transmission unit 21 that supplies a drive signal to the vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 3 and a reception unit that performs phasing addition on the reception signal obtained from the vibration element. 22 is provided.

  The transmission unit 21 includes a rate pulse generator 211, a transmission delay circuit 212, and a drive circuit 213. The rate pulse generator 211 generates a rate pulse that determines a repetition period of the transmission ultrasonic wave and transmits the transmission delay circuit 212. To supply. The transmission delay circuit 212 is composed of the same number of independent delay circuits as the Mt number of vibration elements used for transmission, and a focusing delay time for focusing the transmission ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a predetermined direction (θp, A deflection delay time for transmission to φq) is given to the rate pulse and supplied to the drive circuit 213. The drive circuit 213 has the same number of independent drive circuits as the transmission delay circuit 212, and is selected for transmission from M transducer elements arranged two-dimensionally by the ultrasonic probe 3 (Mt ≦ M ) The vibration elements are driven by the drive signal generated based on the rate pulse to radiate transmission ultrasonic waves into the body of the subject.

  On the other hand, the receiving unit 22 is an A / D converter of an Mr channel corresponding to Mr (Mr ≦ M) vibrating elements selected for reception from among the M vibrating elements built in the ultrasonic probe 3. 221, a reception delay circuit 222, and an adder 223. The Mr channel reception signal supplied from the reception vibration element is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 221, and the reception delay circuit 222 receives the signal. Sent.

  The reception delay circuit 222 has a focusing delay time for focusing the received ultrasonic wave from a predetermined depth and a deflection delay time for setting the reception directivity for a predetermined direction (θp, φq). An adder 223 adds the reception signals from the reception delay circuit 222 to each of the Mr channel reception signals output from the / D converter 221. That is, the reception delay circuit 222 and the adder 223 perform phasing addition on the reception signal obtained from a predetermined direction. The reception delay circuit 222 and the adder 223 of the reception unit 22 enable so-called parallel simultaneous reception in which reception directivities in a plurality of directions are simultaneously formed by controlling the delay time, and three-dimensional scanning is performed by applying the parallel simultaneous reception method. The time required for this is greatly reduced. A part of the transmission unit 21 and the reception unit 22 included in the transmission / reception unit 2 may be provided inside the ultrasonic probe 3.

  FIG. 3 shows the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction (θp, φq) in orthogonal coordinates (xyz) with the central axis of the ultrasonic probe 3 as the z axis. In this case, the vibration element is the x axis. Two-dimensionally arranged in the direction and the y-axis direction, and θp and φq indicate angles with respect to the z-axis in the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction projected on the xz plane and the yz plane. Then, the delay times in the transmission delay circuit 212 of the transmission unit 21 and the reception delay circuit 222 of the reception unit 22 are controlled in accordance with the scanning control signal supplied from the scanning control unit 15, and the three-dimensional region including the puncture target organ of the subject is controlled. On the other hand, ultrasonic transmission / reception is sequentially performed.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the received signal processing unit 4 has a function of processing the received signal after the phasing addition output from the adder 223 of the receiving unit 22 to generate B-mode data, and the received signal Are provided with an envelope detector 41 for detecting the envelope and a logarithmic converter 42 for logarithmically converting the received signal after the envelope detection. However, the envelope detector 41 and the logarithmic converter 42 may be configured by changing their order.

  Next, a specific configuration of the volume data generation unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The volume data generation unit 5 includes an ultrasonic data storage unit 51, an interpolation processing unit 52, and a volume data storage unit 53.

  In the ultrasonic data storage unit 51, a plurality of B-mode data generated by the reception signal processing unit 4 based on the reception signals obtained by the three-dimensional scanning on the subject in the preliminary imaging mode and the main imaging mode are stored in the system control unit. Information of ultrasonic transmission / reception directions (θp, φq) supplied from 16 is sequentially stored as supplementary information. On the other hand, the interpolation processing unit 52 forms three-dimensional B-mode data by arranging a plurality of B-mode data read from the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 in correspondence with the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction, and further, this three-dimensional B-mode data. Volume data composed of isotropic voxels is generated by interpolating non-uniformly spaced voxels constituting the mode data. The obtained volume data is temporarily stored in the volume data storage unit 53.

  Next, the MPR image data generation unit 6 in FIG. 1 generates MPR image data based on the preliminary shooting mode and the main shooting mode volume data stored in the volume data storage unit 53 of the volume data generation unit 5. That is, the MPR cross section set in the preliminary imaging mode for setting the viewing angle required for generating the fly-through image data, or the main imaging mode for generating the fly-through image data and the puncture support data. Two-dimensional MPR image data is generated by extracting the voxels corresponding to the MPR cross section obtained from the volume data collected in each imaging mode. Note that the MPR cross section in the main imaging mode is automatically set based on the position coordinates and the moving direction of the puncture needle tip detected by the puncture needle tip detection unit 12 (that is, the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150). .

  FIG. 5 shows the field of view of the fly-through image data set using the MPR cross section set for the volume data in the pre-shooting mode and the main shooting mode and the MPR image data generated in the MPR cross-section in the pre-shooting mode. It is a figure for demonstrating an angle.

  That is, FIG. 5A schematically shows a case where the puncture needle 150 is inserted toward the puncture target organ Ox in which three normal organs Oa, Ob, and Oc are present. In the preliminary imaging mode, MPRs including the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the system control unit 16 based on the identification information of the puncture adapter 10 input from the identification information input unit 141 of the input unit 14 described later and orthogonal to each other. A cross section Pmx and an MPR cross section Pmy are set. On the other hand, in the present imaging mode, the puncture needle 150 and the puncture needle tip position coordinate supplied from the puncture needle tip detection unit 12 and the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the system control unit 16 in the same manner. The MPR cross section Pmx and MPR cross section Pmy including the insertion direction and the MPR cross section Pmx including the distal end portion of the puncture needle 150 and orthogonal to the MPR cross section Pmx and the MPR cross section Pmy are set.

  However, in FIG. 5 (a), for ease of explanation, the center of the organ Oa is located in the MPR section Pmx, the center of the organ Ob is located in the MPR section Pmy, and the center of the organ Oc is located in the MPR section Pmx. However, the positional relationship between the MPR cross section and the organ is not limited to that shown in FIG. Note that the MPR cross section Pmx and the MPR cross section Pmy are initially set based on, for example, the arrangement directions of the vibration elements (the x direction and the y direction in FIG. 3), and the MPR cross section setting unit 142 of the input unit 14 to be described later sets as necessary. Updated.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 5B and 5C show the MPR image data Pmx and the MPR image data Dmy generated in the MPR cross section Pmx and the MPR cross section Pmy in the preliminary photographing mode. For example, FIG. The MPR image data Dmx in b) shows the organ Oa and the puncture target organ Ox, and the MPR image data Dmy in FIG. 5C shows the organ Ob and the puncture target organ Ox together with the puncture needle 150. Then, the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 observing the MPR image data Dmx and the MPR image data Dmy displayed on the display unit 9 uses the viewing angle setting unit 143 described later provided in the input unit 14 to puncture target organ. Viewing angles ηx and ηy suitable for generating fly-through image data for Ox are set. Information on the viewing angles ηx and ηy set at this time is temporarily stored in the storage circuit of the system control unit 16.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the fly-through image data generation unit 7 includes an arithmetic circuit and a storage circuit (not shown), and an arithmetic processing program for generating fly-through image data using volume data is stored in the storage circuit in advance. It is stored. The arithmetic circuit reads out the volume data in the main shooting mode stored in the volume data storage unit 53 of the volume data generation unit 5 and the arithmetic processing program for fly-through image data stored in its own storage circuit, The volume data is calculated based on the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction information supplied from the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13 and the field-of-view angle information supplied from the field-of-view angle setting unit 143 of the input unit 14 via the system control unit 16. Fly-through image data is generated.

  FIG. 6 shows the volume data generation area Rv generated by the volume data generation section 5 and the fly-through image data generation area Rf set in the volume data generation area Rv. In the volume data of the subject generated by the unit 5, the viewpoint Ps and the line-of-sight direction Ds based on the position coordinate of the tip of the puncture needle 150 and the insertion direction are set by the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13, and The viewing angle ηx in the x direction and the viewing angle ηy in the y direction with respect to the viewpoint Ps and the viewing direction DS are based on viewing angle information supplied from the viewing angle setting unit 143 of the input unit 14 via the system control unit 16. Is set. Then, the arithmetic circuit of the fly-through image data generation unit 7 determines the volume of the fly-through image data generation region Rf determined by the viewpoint Ps and the viewing angles ηx and ηy from the volume data in the main photographing mode in the volume data generation region Rv. Data is extracted, the obtained volume data is interpolated as necessary, and then a predetermined calculation process is performed to generate fly-through image data.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 schematically shows the characteristics of fly-through image data generated by the fly-through image data generation unit 7. For example, the organ Oa is included in the fly-through image data generation region Rf shown in FIG. And the organ Ob, the endoscopic three-dimensional image data of the organ Oa and the organ Ob observed from the virtual viewpoint (viewpoint Ps) in the subject toward the line-of-sight direction Ds are shown in FIG. It is generated as through image data. In this case, three-dimensional image data equivalent to the projection images Oap and Obp of the organ Oa and the organ Ob projected from the viewpoint Ps onto the projection plane Pp behind the fly-through image data generation region can be generated. According to the fly-through image data, since the organ close to the viewpoint Ps is observed larger, it is easy to intuitively grasp the relative position and distance between the organs. In addition, the insertion position of the puncture needle 15 with respect to the puncture target organ Ox can be accurately known by superimposing the puncture position marker Mk indicating the expected puncture position of the puncture needle 150 on the puncture target organ Ox of the fly-through image data. Can do.

  Next, the puncture support data generation unit 8 in FIG. 1 has a function of generating puncture support data by synthesizing the above-described MPR image data and fly-through image data generated in the main imaging mode. FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 8. For example, the puncture support data Db includes three MPR image data Dmx to Dmx and fly-through image data Df. It is divided into image areas A1 to A4 to be arranged.

  That is, in the image areas A1 to A3, the MPR image data Dmx and the MPR image data Dmy generated by using the xz plane and the yz plane intersecting in the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 as the MPR section Pmx and the MPR section Pmy. (See FIG. 5) and MPR image data Dmz having an xy plane perpendicular to the above-described xz plane and yz plane, including the tip of the puncture needle, are arranged, and further, an image area A4 Is arranged with fly-through image data Df (see FIG. 8) with the distal end portion of the puncture needle 150 and the insertion direction as the viewpoint and the line-of-sight direction.

  The display unit 9 includes a display data generation unit, a data conversion unit, and a monitor (not shown). The display data generation unit is generated by the MPR image data generated by the MPR image data generation unit 6 or the fly-through image data generation unit 7. The desired fly-through image data and the puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 8 are selected based on the display data selection instruction signal supplied from the input unit 14 and selected. Display data is generated by adding incidental information such as subject information to the image data. The data converter performs D / A conversion and display format conversion on the display data generated by the display data generator and displays the display data on the monitor in real time.

  The puncture adapter 10 has, for example, a slit-shaped needle guide (not shown) that is attached to the wall surface of the ultrasonic probe 3 and is inclined by a predetermined angle ξo with respect to the central axis z of the ultrasonic probe 3. The puncture needle 150 is slidably attached inside the needle guide, and is inserted into the subject along the needle guide. That is, the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 is uniquely determined by the selected puncture adapter 10.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is provided with a plurality of puncture adapters having different puncture angles in advance, and the puncture adapter 10 having a puncture angle suitable for puncturing the subject is operated by the puncture adapter. Selected by the person. In this case, information on the relative position and inclination angle of the needle guide of each of the plurality of puncture adapters with respect to the ultrasonic probe 3 is stored in advance in the storage circuit of the system control unit 16 together with the puncture adapter identification information. Then, the operator inputs the identification information of the puncture adapter 10 in the identification information input unit 141 of the input unit 14, whereby the above-described information regarding the needle guide of the desired puncture adapter 10 is obtained from the system control unit 16. 12 is supplied.

  On the other hand, the puncture distance detection unit 11 measures the movement distance of the puncture needle 150 that slides along the needle guide of the puncture adapter 10, thereby moving the distance from the reference position on the needle guide set in advance, The insertion distance of the puncture needle 150 with respect to the subject is detected.

  Next, the puncture needle tip detection unit 12 receives relative position information and inclination angle information of the needle guide provided in the puncture adapter 10 with respect to the ultrasonic probe 3 from the system control unit 16, and inserts the information and the insertion information. Based on the information on the movement distance (puncture distance) of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the distance detection unit 11 via the system control unit 16, the position coordinate of the tip of the puncture needle 150 inserted into the subject and the insertion Detect direction. Then, the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13 sets the viewpoint for the fly-through image data based on the position coordinates of the tip of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the puncture needle tip detection unit 12, and further inserts the puncture needle 150. The line-of-sight direction is set based on the direction.

  Next, the input unit 14 includes an input device such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a selection button, and an input button on the operation panel, and an identification information input unit 141 that inputs identification information of the puncture adapter 10. It has an MPR cross-section setting unit 142 for setting and updating a cross-section, and a viewing angle setting unit 143 for setting a viewing angle necessary for generating fly-through image data. Also, input of subject information, setting of volume data generation conditions, setting of generation conditions and display conditions of MPR image data / fly-through image data / puncture support data, selection of display data, input of various command signals, etc. Is also performed using the above-described display panel and input device.

  The scanning control unit 15 performs delay time control for sequentially transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the three-dimensional region of the subject with respect to the transmission delay circuit 212 of the transmission unit 21 and the reception delay circuit 222 of the reception unit 22. Next, the system control unit 16 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and the storage circuit includes a needle guide included in each of a plurality of puncture adapters that can be attached to the ultrasound probe 3 relative to the ultrasound probe 3. The position information and the inclination angle information are stored in advance together with the identification information of the puncture adapter, and the above-described various information input / set / selected in the input unit 14 is stored. The CPU performs overall control of each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 100 based on the various information described above, and generates and displays various image data that supports puncture of the puncture target organ.

(Puncture support data generation / display procedure)
Next, a procedure for generating / displaying puncture support data in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the generation of puncture support data, the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 inputs object information, inputs puncture adapter identification information, sets volume data generation conditions, MPR image data / fly-through image data / After setting puncture support data generation conditions and display conditions, selecting display data, etc., the ultrasonic probe 3 is placed at a suitable position on the surface of the subject body, and the puncture adapter 10 attached to the ultrasonic probe 3 The puncture needle 150 is attached to the needle guide (step S1 in FIG. 10). Although the case where puncture support data is selected as display data is described here, fly-through image data may be selected as display data.

  When the above initial setting is completed, the operator inputs a puncture support data display start command at the input unit 14 (step S2 in FIG. 10), and the input command signal is supplied to the system control unit 16. Thus, generation of puncture support data is started.

  The rate pulse generator 211 of the transmitter 21 shown in FIG. 2 is a system for collecting volume data in the preliminary imaging mode for the purpose of setting a viewing angle necessary for generating fly-through image data constituting puncture support data. The reference signal supplied from the control unit 16 is divided to generate a rate pulse, which is supplied to the transmission delay circuit 212. The transmission delay circuit 212 uses, as the rate pulse, a focusing delay time for focusing the ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a deflection delay time for transmitting the ultrasonic wave in the first transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1). This rate pulse is supplied to the Mt channel drive circuit 213. Next, the drive circuit 213 generates a drive signal based on the rate pulse supplied from the transmission delay circuit 212, and supplies this drive signal to the Mt transmission vibration elements in the ultrasonic probe 3 to enter the subject. Transmits ultrasonic waves.

  A part of the transmitted ultrasonic wave is reflected by an organ boundary surface or tissue of a subject having different acoustic impedance, and is received by Mr receiving vibration elements provided in the ultrasonic probe 3. Converted to a typical received signal. Next, the received signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 221 of the receiving unit 22, and is further used for focusing for converging received ultrasonic waves from a predetermined depth in the Mr channel reception delay circuit 222. After the delay time and the deflection delay time for setting a strong reception directivity for the received ultrasonic wave from the transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1) are given, the adder 223 performs phasing addition.

  Then, the envelope detector 41 and the logarithmic converter 42 of the received signal processing unit 4 to which the received signal after the phasing addition is supplied perform envelope detection and logarithmic conversion on the received signal to obtain B-mode data. The transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1) is stored as supplementary information in the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 of the volume data generation unit 5.

  When the generation and storage of the B-mode data in the transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1) is completed, the system control unit 16 controls the delay time in the transmission delay circuit 212 of the transmission unit 21 and the reception delay circuit 222 of the reception unit 22. The transmission / reception directions (θp, φq) (θp = θ1 + (p−1) Δθ (p = 1 to P), φq = φ1 + (q−1) Δφ ( q = 1 to Q), except that ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received in the same procedure for each of the transmission / reception directions (except θ1, φ1) to perform three-dimensional scanning. The B-mode data obtained in these transmission / reception directions is also stored in the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 with the above-described transmission / reception directions as supplementary information.

  On the other hand, the interpolation processing unit 52 of the volume data generation unit 5 transmits a plurality of B-mode data read from the ultrasound data storage unit 51 in the transmission / reception direction (θp, φq) (θp = θ1 + (p−1) Δθ (p = 1). To P), φq = φ1 + (q−1) Δφ (q = 1 to Q)) to form three-dimensional B-mode data, and further, this three-dimensional B-mode data is interpolated. To generate volume data. Then, the generated volume data is stored in the volume data storage unit 53 (step S3 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, the system control unit 16 determines the relative position of the needle guide provided in the puncture adapter 10 with respect to the ultrasonic probe 3 based on the identification information of the puncture adapter 10 input in the identification information input unit 141 of the input unit 14. Information and tilt angle information are read from its own storage circuit and supplied to the puncture needle tip detection unit 12. The puncture needle tip detection unit 12 detects the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 immediately before insertion based on the position information and the inclination angle information of the needle guide described above (step S4 in FIG. 10).

  Next, the MPR image data generation unit 6 reads the volume data stored in the volume data storage unit 53 of the volume data generation unit 5 and based on the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the puncture needle tip detection unit 12. A plurality of MPR sections (for example, the MPR section Pmx and the MPR section Pmy in FIG. 5) are set for the volume data. Then, voxels of volume data corresponding to these MPR sections are extracted to generate a plurality of MPR image data and displayed on the monitor of the display unit 9 (step S5 in FIG. 10).

  The operator who has observed the MPR image data displayed on the display unit 9 updates the MPR cross section using the MPR cross section setting unit 142 of the input unit 14 as necessary, and then views the viewing angle setting unit of the input unit 14. A viewing angle (for example, ηx in FIG. 5B and ηy in FIG. 5C) necessary for generating fly-through image data is set using 143 (step S6 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, the operator inserts the puncture needle 150 into the subject along the needle guide of the puncture adapter 10 (step S7 in FIG. 10), and the puncture distance detection unit 11 inserts the puncture needle inserted at this time. 150 insertion distances are measured. The puncture needle tip detection unit 12 moves the system control unit 16 from the relative position information and inclination angle information of the needle guide already supplied from the system control unit 16 to the ultrasonic probe 3 and the insertion distance detection unit 11. Based on the puncture distance of the puncture needle 150 newly supplied via the puncture needle 150, the tip position coordinate and the puncture direction of the puncture needle 150 are detected (step S8 in FIG. 10).

  Next, the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13 sets the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction necessary for generating fly-through image data based on the tip position coordinates and the insertion direction of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the puncture needle tip detection unit 12. Setting is made (step S9 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, the system control unit 16 controls each unit of the scanning control unit 15, the transmission / reception unit 2, the reception signal processing unit 4, the volume data generation unit 5, and the MPR image data generation unit 6 by the same procedure as in step S <b> 3 described above. Volume data in the main photographing mode for generating fly-through image data is generated (step S10 in FIG. 10), and the tip position coordinates and the puncture point of the puncture needle 150 supplied from the puncture needle tip detection unit 12 are generated. A plurality of MPR image data is generated by setting a plurality of MPR sections (for example, MPR sections Pmx to Pmz in FIG. 5) as the volume data based on the input direction (step S11 in FIG. 10).

  Further, the fly-through image data generation unit 7 includes the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction information supplied from the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit 13 and the visual field supplied from the visual field angle setting unit 143 of the input unit 14 via the system control unit 16. Based on the angle information, an arithmetic processing program for fly-through image data stored in its own storage circuit is activated, and the volume data in the main photographing mode generated in the volume data generation unit 5 is processed to obtain fly-through image data. Generate (step S12 in FIG. 10).

  Then, the puncture support data generation unit 8 generates puncture support data (see FIG. 9) by synthesizing the above-described MPR image data and fly-through image data, and displays the obtained puncture support data on the monitor of the display unit 9 (Step S13 in FIG. 10).

  The operator of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 observing the puncture support data displayed on the display unit 9 determines whether or not the tip of the puncture needle 150 is inserted into the puncture target organ based on the puncture support data. If the puncture needle 150 is not yet inserted, the puncture needle 150 is further inserted, and the puncture support data newly obtained by combining the MPR image data and the fly-through image data generated at this time is displayed on the display unit 9. This is displayed (steps S7 to S13 in FIG. 10). Then, the above steps S7 to S13 are repeated until the insertion of the tip of the puncture needle into the puncture target organ is confirmed.

  On the other hand, the operator who confirms that the tip of the puncture needle has been inserted into the puncture target organ in the observation of the puncture support data on the display unit 9, the drug administration to the puncture target organ or the tissue (cell ) Examination / treatment such as collection is performed (step S14 in FIG. 10). When the predetermined examination / treatment is completed, the puncture needle 150 is extracted from the subject (step S15 in FIG. 10).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to accurately perform puncture on an puncture target organ without damaging surrounding normal organs. This not only improves the safety and efficiency of examination / treatment, but also reduces the burden on the operator and the subject.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, fly-through image data with the tip of the puncture needle as a viewpoint is generated, and puncture is performed on the puncture target organ under observation of puncture support data based on the fly-through image data. Therefore, it is possible to intuitively grasp the positional relationship between the puncture target organ and normal organs located in the vicinity of the puncture target organ, and accurately determine the presence or absence of the normal organ interposed between the tip of the puncture needle and the puncture target organ. Therefore, it is possible to accurately puncture only the organ to be punctured.

  Further, since the expected insertion position of the puncture needle is superimposed and displayed as the insertion position marker in the fly-through image data, the puncture needle is positioned so that the insertion position marker is positioned at a desired site of the puncture target organ in the fly-through image data. The puncture accuracy can be further improved by adjusting the insertion direction.

  Further, the puncture target organ is generated from the tip of the puncture needle by generating the puncture support data by synthesizing the above-described fly-through image data with the MPR image data generated in the MPR cross section including the puncture needle and its insertion direction. Accurate measurement of the distance up to and the endoscopic observation from the tip of the puncture needle can be performed at the same time, which can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of examination / treatment using the puncture needle It becomes possible.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, It can change and implement. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the puncture target organ is punctured under observation of puncture support data generated by combining fly-through image data generated from the same volume data and three MPR image data. As described above, the above-described puncture may be performed under the observation of the fly-through image data generated by the fly-through image data generation unit 7 or the puncture support data including only this fly-through image data.

  Further, although the case where the MPR image data is generated in the MPR cross sections orthogonal to each other has been described, the MPR image data is not necessarily orthogonal, and the number of MPR image data is not limited to three.

  Furthermore, by generating fly-through image data, it is possible to observe endoscopic three-dimensional image data with the tip of the puncture needle as a viewpoint. Further, the image data can be changed according to the distance from the tip of the puncture needle. Luminance and color tone may be changed. By this method, it is possible to improve the visibility between the puncture target organ and normal organs located in the vicinity thereof.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, volume data is generated based on B-mode data collected by the ultrasonic probe 3 in which a plurality of vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and fly-through image data is generated using this volume data. As described above, volume data may be collected by mechanically moving an ultrasonic probe in which vibration elements are arranged one-dimensionally instead of the ultrasonic probe 3, and other super Volume data may be generated based on the sound wave data.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the transmission / reception part and reception signal processing part with which the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the Example is provided. The figure which shows the relationship between the arrangement direction of the vibration element with which the ultrasonic probe of the Example is provided, and an ultrasonic transmission / reception direction. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the volume data generation part with which the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the Example is provided. The figure for demonstrating the viewing angle of the fly-through image data set based on the MPR image data of the preliminary | backup imaging | photography mode in the Example. The figure which shows the relationship between the volume data generation area | region and fly-through image data generation area | region in the Example. The figure which shows typically the characteristic of the fly through image data produced | generated in the fly through image data production | generation part of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the fly through image data produced | generated in the fly through image data production | generation part of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the puncture assistance data produced | generated by the puncture assistance data production | generation part of the Example. The flowchart which shows the production | generation / display procedure of the puncture assistance data in the Example. The figure for demonstrating the conventional ultrasonic probe for puncture.

Explanation of symbols

2. Transmission / reception unit 21 ... Transmission unit 22 ... Reception unit 3 ... Ultrasonic probe 4 ... Reception signal processing unit 5 ... Volume data generation unit 51 ... Ultrasonic data storage unit 52 ... Interpolation processing unit 53 ... Volume data storage unit 6 ... MPR Image data generation unit 7 ... fly-through image data generation unit 8 ... puncture support data generation unit 9 ... display unit 10 ... puncture adapter 11 ... puncture distance detection unit 12 ... puncture needle tip detection unit 13 ... viewpoint / gaze direction setting unit 14 ... Input unit 141 ... Identification information input unit 142 ... MPR section setting unit 143 ... View angle setting unit 15 ... Scanning control unit 16 ... System control unit 150 ... Puncture needle 100 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (11)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating puncture support data for examination or treatment using a puncture needle based on volume data collected by three-dimensional scanning of a subject,
Viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting means for setting the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction based on information on the tip position and insertion direction of the puncture needle;
Viewing angle setting means for setting the viewing angle of fly-through image data based on the viewpoint;
Fly-through image data generating means for processing the volume data in the generation region of fly-through image data determined based on the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction and the viewing angle, and generating the fly-through image data;
Puncture support data generating means for generating the puncture support data using the fly-through image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: display means for displaying the puncture support data.   A puncture adapter for setting an inclination angle of the puncture needle, and a puncture distance detecting means for detecting a puncture distance of the puncture needle inserted along a needle guide provided in the puncture adapter with respect to the subject; A puncture needle tip detection unit that detects a tip position and a puncture direction of the puncture needle based on the tilt angle and the puncture distance; and the viewpoint / line-of-sight direction setting unit is detected by the puncture needle tip detection unit The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the viewpoint and the line-of-sight direction are set based on information on a tip position and a direction of insertion of the puncture needle.   Identification information input means for inputting identification information of the puncture adapter, wherein the puncture needle tip detection means is configured to insert the puncture needle based on an inclination angle of a needle guide in the puncture adapter set in advance corresponding to the identification information. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a direction is detected.   MPR image data generating means for generating MPR image data in one or a plurality of MPR sections set in the volume data is provided, and the viewing angle setting means sets the viewing angle based on the MPR image data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The MPR cross section includes one or a plurality of first two-dimensional planes including the insertion direction of the puncture needle and a second two-dimensional plane including the distal end portion of the puncture needle and orthogonal to the first two-dimensional plane. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set for at least one of the planes.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first two-dimensional planes are orthogonal to each other in the insertion direction of the puncture needle.   The fly-through image data generation means includes interpolation processing means, and performs interpolation processing on volume data in a generation region of the fly-through image data determined based on the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction and the viewing angle. Item 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Item 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fly-through image data generation unit superimposes an insertion position marker on an expected insertion position of the puncture target organ in the fly-through image data.   The fly-through image data generating means generates the fly-through image data by processing volume data based on at least one of B-mode data and color Doppler data collected by three-dimensional scanning on a subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic wave according to claim 1, wherein the fly-through image data generating unit generates the fly-through image data by changing at least one of luminance and color tone according to a distance from the viewpoint of various organs. Diagnostic device.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the puncture support data generation unit generates the puncture support data by combining the fly-through image data and the MPR image data.

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