JP2009172186A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device and its program capable of promoting the efficiency of a test of a movement of a heart wall. <P>SOLUTION: Contour image data (individual contour data 21 and standard contour data 23) representing myocardial contour configuration is previously memorized in a memory part 20 of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1. When the dynamic image data of the heart is obtained, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 overlaps a contour image based on the contour image data and a heart image based on the obtained kinetic image data and displays them in a display part 81. The image analytic part 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 furthermore tracks the contour area corresponding to the myocardial contour by analyzing the kinetic image data based on the contour image data and calculates the parameter of the wall movement based on the tracked result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a program for controlling the apparatus.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject, receives a reflected wave generated by a difference in acoustic impedance of a body tissue, and images the inside of the subject based on the reception result.

  Ultrasound diagnostic devices are widely used for morphological diagnosis and functional evaluation of various organs because they can acquire images in real time with a simple operation by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe equipped with an ultrasonic transducer into contact with the body surface. Yes.

  In particular, in recent years, as heart disease has been increasing, its application to evaluation of the motor function of the heart has attracted attention. The motor function of the heart is grasped by analyzing the motion state of the intima and outer membrane of the myocardium. At present, wall motion can be measured by automatically tracking the movement of the intima and epicardium in a moving image of the heart (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such an automatic tracking process, it is necessary to extract an image region corresponding to the intima or adventitia (myocardial contour) in each frame of the moving image. This extraction process includes, for example, a method of obtaining an approximate curve (such as a spline curve) that passes through a plurality of points manually input on the contour by the operator. There is also a method of extracting a contour by executing pattern matching using dictionary data (contour template image) prepared in advance on an ultrasonic image of the heart (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-14542 A JP 2002-140690 A

  The following problems are pointed out for conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. First, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the initial position (point on the outline) for extracting the outline of the myocardium is manually input, there is a concern that the examination efficiency may be lowered.

  In addition, when pattern matching or automatic tracking cannot be performed properly due to a problem such as poor image quality of the ultrasonic image, the image collection operation must be performed again, which reduces the inspection efficiency. Thus, when examination efficiency falls, the burden concerning not only an examiner but a subject will also become large.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and program capable of improving the efficiency of examination of heart wall motion.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave toward the heart of a subject, receives a reflected wave from the heart, and receives the reflected wave based on a reception result of the reflected wave. Generating means for generating moving image data of the heart, storage means for storing contour image data representing the shape of the outline of the myocardium, display means, contour image based on the contour image data, and heart based on the moving image data Control means for superimposing an image on the display means, and analysis means for analyzing the moving image data based on the contour image data and tracking a contour region corresponding to a contour of a myocardium. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the heart of a subject, a reflected wave from the heart is received, and moving image data of the heart is obtained based on a reception result of the reflected wave. A program for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic device to be generated, comprising: a contour image based on contour image data representing a shape of a myocardial contour stored in advance in the ultrasonic diagnostic device; and a heart image based on the moving image data. It is made to function as a control means for displaying on the display means in a superimposed manner, and functions as an analysis means for analyzing the moving image data based on the contour image data and tracking a contour region corresponding to the contour of the myocardium. It is a program.

  According to the present invention, the contour image representing the shape of the myocardial contour and the heart image are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the moving image data of the heart is analyzed based on the contour image data to track the contour region corresponding to the contour of the myocardium. can do. Therefore, contour extraction can be performed on the basis of contour image data prepared in advance, and the efficiency of examination of heart wall motion can be improved.

  An example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Constitution]
An embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described. A configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a signal processing unit 4, an image storage unit 5, an image generation unit 6, a display control unit 7, a user interface (UI) 8, a control unit 9, and an image processing unit. 10 is provided. An electrocardiograph 30 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a predetermined pattern. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers are, for example, two-dimensionally arranged (two-dimensional array probe). Such an ultrasonic probe 2 can perform a volume scan that scans a three-dimensional region in the body, a multi-plane scan that repeatedly scans a plurality of cross sections, and the like. Further, ultrasonic scanning using a one-dimensional array probe described later can also be executed.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 may be a one-dimensional array probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a line in a predetermined direction (scanning direction). Such an ultrasonic probe 2 can perform various ultrasonic scans such as a sector scan, a line scan, and a convex scan. It should be noted that sector scan is often employed when acquiring an image of the heart.

  When a one-dimensional array probe is applied, a mechanism for swinging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in a direction (swing direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction may be provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to execute a volume scan or the like.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is used while being applied to the body surface of the subject, and transmits the ultrasonic beam while scanning the subject toward the subject. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 2 receives a reflected wave from the body of the ultrasonic beam as an echo signal.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit (not shown), supplies an electrical signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate an ultrasonic wave, and receives an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2.

  Under the control of the control unit 9, the transmission unit supplies an electrical signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves beam-formed (transmission beam-form) to a predetermined focal point.

  A configuration example of the transmission unit will be described. The transmission unit includes a clock generation circuit, a transmission delay circuit, and a pulsar circuit (not shown). The clock generation circuit generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the ultrasonic signal. The transmission delay circuit performs transmission focus with a delay when transmitting ultrasonic waves. The pulsar circuit incorporates pulsars corresponding to the number of individual paths (channels) corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer, generates a drive pulse at a delayed transmission timing, and each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 2 To supply.

  The reception unit receives the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 and performs delay processing on the echo signal, thereby phasing the analog reception signal (received beam-formed) digital reception data Convert to In other words, the receiving unit adds the echo signals received at different times in accordance with the distances from the target reflector to each ultrasonic transducer, with their phases (time) aligned, and is in focus. One piece of received data (image signal on one scanning line) is generated.

  A configuration example of the receiving unit will be described. The reception unit includes a preamplifier circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, and a reception delay / addition circuit (not shown). The preamplifier circuit amplifies the echo signal output from each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 2 for each reception channel. The A / D converter circuit A / D converts the amplified echo signal. The reception delay / adder circuit gives a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity to the echo signal after A / D conversion, and adds the delay time. By this addition processing, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity is emphasized.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 supplies electric signals to the ultrasonic probe 2 at predetermined time intervals under the control of the control unit 9. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic beam at the time interval and receives the reflected wave at the time interval. Thereby, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 generates moving image data having the time interval as a frame interval.

  The signal processing unit 4 includes processing units according to the ultrasonic image drawing mode, such as a B-mode processing unit, a CFM processing unit, and a Doppler processing unit. The data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 is subjected to predetermined processing in any of the processing units.

  The B-mode processing unit visualizes echo amplitude information and generates B-mode ultrasound raster data from the echo signal. More specifically, the B-mode processing unit performs band-pass filter processing on the signal sent from the transmission / reception unit 3, then detects the envelope of the output signal, and performs logarithmic conversion on the detected data. The compression process is applied.

  A CFM (Color Flow Mapping) processing unit visualizes blood flow information and generates color ultrasonic raster data. Blood flow information includes information such as speed, dispersion, and power. Such information is obtained as binarized information, for example. More specifically, the CFM processing unit includes a phase detection circuit, an MTI (Moving Target Indication) filter, an autocorrelator, and a flow velocity / dispersion calculator. The CFM processing unit performs a high-pass filter process (MTI filter process) for separating the tissue signal and the blood flow signal, and the blood flow information such as blood flow velocity, dispersion, power, and the like by multiple points by autocorrelation processing. Ask. In addition, the CFM processing unit may perform nonlinear processing for reducing and reducing tissue signals.

  The Doppler processing unit extracts a Doppler shift frequency component by performing quadrature detection on the reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3. Further, the Doppler processing unit performs an FFT process on the Doppler shift frequency component to generate a Doppler frequency distribution representing the blood flow velocity.

  The signal processing unit 4 outputs the ultrasonic raster data after the signal processing to the image storage unit 5. The image storage unit 5 receives the ultrasonic raster data from the signal processing unit 4 and stores the ultrasonic raster data.

  Further, when a volume scan is performed by the ultrasonic probe 2 and the transmission / reception unit 3, the signal processing unit 4 generates volume data based on an echo signal obtained by the volume scan. This processing is performed, for example, by generating B-mode images (tomographic images) at a plurality of cross sections, generating stack data of these tomographic images, and performing voxels by performing interpolation processing or the like on the stack data. The image storage unit 5 receives volume data from the signal processing unit 4 and stores this volume data.

  Further, the image storage unit 5 may include a frame memory. The frame memory is used, for example, to temporarily store a frame frozen by an operator while observing a moving image.

  The image generation unit 6 generates image data based on the ultrasonic raster data stored in the image storage unit 5. The image generation unit 6 includes a DSC (Digital Scan Converter). The DSC converts the ultrasonic raster data after signal processing represented by a scanning line signal sequence into image data represented by orthogonal coordinates (scan conversion processing). When signal processing is performed in the above-described B-mode processing unit, the image generation unit 6 performs scan conversion processing on the B-mode ultrasound raster data to generate B-mode image data representing the tissue shape of the subject. .

  When the volume scan is performed, the image generation unit 6 reads the volume data from the image storage unit 5 and performs volume rendering on the volume data, thereby three-dimensionalizing the tissue shape of the subject. Three-dimensional image data to be expressed is generated. The image generation unit 6 generates image data (MPR image data) in an arbitrary cross section by performing MPR processing (Multi Planar Reconstruction) on the volume data.

  The image generation unit 6 outputs the ultrasonic image data generated as described above to the display control unit 7. Further, the image generation unit 6 outputs these ultrasonic image data to the image storage unit 5. The image storage unit 5 stores these ultrasonic image data.

  As described above, the electrocardiograph 30 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The electrocardiograph 30 acquires an electrocardiogram waveform (ECG (electrocardiogram) signal) of the subject and inputs it to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 receives the ECG signal, and associates each received ultrasound raster data with the received cardiac time phase at the timing when each ultrasound raster data is acquired, and causes the image storage unit 5 to store it. For example, the control unit 9 detects the R wave from the ECG signal, and associates the cardiac time phase indicating the R wave with the ultrasound raster data acquired in the cardiac time phase where the R wave is detected. Remember me.

  The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 scans the subject's heart with ultrasound to obtain, for example, ultrasound image data (B-mode image data, volume data, etc.) of the heart including the left ventricle for each cardiac phase. . That is, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 acquires the moving image data of the heart. For example, by scanning the subject's heart with ultrasound over one cardiac cycle or more, moving image data of a plurality of hearts is acquired over one cardiac cycle or more. Further, the control unit 9 stores the cardiac time phase received at the acquisition timing in association with the ultrasonic image data of each cardiac phase in the image storage unit 5. Thereby, the cardiac time phase from which the ultrasound image data is acquired is associated with each of the plurality of ultrasound image data constituting the moving image and stored in the image storage unit 5. Note that instead of the electrocardiogram waveform (ECG signal), it is possible to obtain a cardiac sound waveform of the subject and associate a cardiac time phase with each ultrasonic image data.

  The display control unit 7 receives the ultrasonic image data from the image generation unit 6 and causes the display unit 81 to display an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image of the heart, an MPR image, or a three-dimensional image. For example, when the operator designates an arbitrary cardiac phase using the operation unit 82, the image generation unit 6 generates an ultrasonic image for display based on the ultrasonic image data associated with the designated cardiac phase. Then, the display control unit 7 causes the display unit 81 to display the ultrasonic image of the cardiac phase.

  The ultrasonic probe 2, the transmission / reception unit 3, the signal processing unit 4, the image storage unit 5, and the image generation unit 6 perform operations for generating ultrasonic image data, and “generation unit” of the present invention. This constitutes an example. The display unit 81 constitutes an example of “display means”.

  The operation unit 82 constitutes an example of the “input unit” of the present invention, and is used to input various types of information such as subject identification information and characteristic information. The subject identification information is information for identifying the subject, and specific examples thereof include a patient ID, insurance card number, and patient name issued by the medical institution. The characteristic information is information representing the characteristics of the subject. Specific examples thereof include information on physical characteristics such as age, sex, height, and weight, cases (sickness and disease names), medical conditions (sickness and degree of sickness). There is information on injury and illness. Note that the characteristic information is not limited to these, and may be arbitrary information representing the characteristics of the subject.

  Note that the input means is not limited to the manual input of information as described above. For example, it is possible to use input means configured to automatically select and input predetermined information from electronic medical record data. The electronic medical record data is held in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, an external apparatus (server or the like), a recording medium, or the like. The automatic input means acquires predetermined information from the electronic medical record data stored therein. When acquiring information stored in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the input unit includes the control unit 9. When acquiring information stored in an external device, the input means includes a communication interface such as a LAN card and the control unit 9. When acquiring information from a recording medium, the input means includes a drive device and a control unit 9.

  The control unit 9 controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In addition, the control unit 9 performs a process of reading data stored in the image storage unit 5 and data stored in the storage unit 20 of the image processing unit 10. The control unit 9 constitutes an example of the “control unit” of the present invention together with the display control unit 7.

  The control unit 9 is provided with a data search unit 91. The data search unit 91 searches the storage unit 20 for data corresponding to the object identification information and characteristic information input by the operation unit 82. This search process will be described later.

  The image processing unit 10 receives data stored in the image storage unit 5 and performs various image processing on the data. The image processing unit 10 includes an image analysis unit 11 and a storage unit 20.

  The storage unit 20 stores in advance individual contour data 21 and standard contour data 23 as examples of the “contour image data” of the present invention. The contour image data is image data representing the form of the outline of the myocardium, and represents the form (at least a part) of the intima and / or adventitia of the myocardium. Here, the form may include any factor that expresses the outline of the myocardium, such as the shape and size.

  The individual contour data 21 is obtained by extracting an image region corresponding to the contour of the myocardium from the actually acquired heart image data. The individual contour data 21 may represent the form of the extracted image area as it is, or the form is simplified by performing predetermined image processing (for example, smoothing process) on the extracted image area. It may be a modified one.

  The individual contour data 21 is generated by, for example, the contour data generation unit 15. The contour data generation unit 15 generates individual contour data 21 by extracting an image region corresponding to a contour using a known method such as the Modified-Simpson method or the ACT (Automated-Control-Tracking) method (patent). Reference 1).

  At this time, the contour data generation unit 15 determines the size of the image and the image position in the frame based on information representing the measurement depth of the image (measurement depth information). The measurement depth information is obtained as a collection condition for acquiring heart image data, as in a general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The measurement depth information represents the distance from the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the deepest measurement position. Note that other collection conditions may be associated with the individual contour data 21.

  The individual contour data 21 may be generated based on image data obtained by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus other than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 or may be a medical image diagnostic apparatus (other than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus) ( For example, it may be generated based on image data obtained by an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, or the like. The individual contour data 21 may be generated by an apparatus other than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. It is also possible to generate individual contour data 21 based on contours manually input by a doctor or the like in the displayed heart image.

  The individual contour data 21 is stored in association with the patient ID 22 (subject identification information) of the subject. In this embodiment, individual contour data 21 of each of a plurality of subjects is stored in association with the patient ID 22. The individual contour data 21 is also associated with the collection condition.

  The standard contour data 23 is image data representing a standard form of the myocardial contour. In this embodiment, standard contour data 23 of each of a plurality of characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, case, medical condition, etc.) of the subject is stored in association with the characteristic information 24. In addition, as a case, for example, any case in which findings appear in the form of the myocardium, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or dilated cardiomyopathy, can be adopted. The standard contour data 23 can also be associated with the same collection conditions (measurement depth information and the like) as the individual contour data 21.

  The standard contour data 23 is created, for example, by statistically processing contour samples extracted from a large number of heart image data (calculating statistics such as an average value, an intermediate value, and a standard deviation). At this time, the standard contour data 23 of each characteristic is created by collecting and processing samples for each of the above characteristics. Further, the standard contour data 23 may be generated based on various types of information known about the contour of the myocardium related to each characteristic.

  The image analysis unit 11 analyzes the image data of the subject's heart, and particularly obtains information related to the heart wall motion. The image analysis unit 11 corresponds to an example of “analysis means” of the present invention.

  The image analysis unit 11 includes a contour extraction unit 12, a contour image deformation unit 13, a contour tracking unit 14, and a contour data generation unit 15. The contour data generation unit 15 has been described above in the description of the individual contour data 21.

  The contour extracting unit 12 analyzes the heart image data and extracts a contour region in the image data. The contour region is an image region corresponding to the contour of the heart. The contour extraction unit 12 constitutes an example of the “extraction means” of the present invention. This extraction process may specify the position of the contour region in the image data of the heart, or takes out the specified contour region and generates new image data consisting only of this contour region. It may be a thing.

  A specific example of processing executed by the contour extraction unit 12 will be described. The contour extracting unit 12 extracts a contour region in the image data of the heart by using a known method similar to that of the contour data generating unit 15, for example.

  In this embodiment, since the heart image and the contour image (an image based on the contour image data) are superimposed as will be described later, the contour region can be extracted using the contour image data. . For example, instead of analyzing the entire heart image, it is possible to extract a contour region by analyzing a neighborhood region of the contour image. As a specific example, a neighborhood region of each point on the contour image (a region within a predetermined number of pixels from the point) is set, a boundary is identified by analyzing pixel values in this neighborhood region, and this boundary is defined as a contour region. Can be adopted as. Further, after the superposed image of the heart image and the contour image is observed and the contour region to be visually recognized is manually aligned with the contour image, the processing by the contour extracting unit 12 can be executed. By using the contour image in this way, it is possible to reduce the time required for extracting the contour region.

  The contour image deforming unit 13 deforms the contour image so as to match the contour region extracted by the contour extracting unit 12. The contour image deformation unit 13 corresponds to an example of the “deformation unit” of the present invention. Note that the deformation may include conversion processing such as enlargement / reduction, parallel movement, and rotational movement in addition to the shape change.

  The process executed by the contour image deformation unit 13 will be described more specifically. The contour image deforming unit 13 receives the contour region extracted from the heart image data and the contour image data. In general, the shape of the contour region and the shape of the contour image do not match due to differences in various conditions such as the way the ultrasonic probe 2 is applied, the time phase of the image, and the medical condition. The contour image deforming unit 13 compares the shape of the contour region with the shape of the contour image, and deforms the contour image so as to match the shape of the contour region. For this processing, for example, known image matching such as image correlation can be used.

  In addition, after the contour image deformation | transformation process by the contour image deformation | transformation part 13 is performed, an operator may make it further deform | transform manually.

  The contour tracking unit 14 receives contour image data that has been deformed by the contour image deforming unit 13. The contour tracking unit 14 analyzes the moving image data of the heart based on the contour image data, and tracks the contour region in the heart image corresponding to the contour of the myocardium.

  The moving image data of the heart is composed of a plurality of frames (still images) arranged in time series at predetermined time intervals. The contour tracking unit 14 tracks the contour region in the heart image by sequentially extracting the contour region in each frame. In this process, for example, the contour image based on the contour image data is superimposed on each frame (superposition as image data is sufficient, and it is not necessary to perform overlay display). This is done by analyzing the vicinity of the position. In this process, a known method such as the Modified-Simpson method or the ACT method can be applied.

  The image analysis unit 11 obtains a parameter that reflects the wall motion based on the tracking result of the outline (intima and epicardium) of the myocardium. The parameters include heart wall displacement, displacement speed, torsional motion, torsional motion speed, expansion / contraction (shortening), expansion / contraction speed, heart wall motion strain, strain rate, and relative rotational gradient. These parameters can be obtained by a method similar to the conventional method (see, for example, JP-A-2007-319190).

[Operation]
The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 represents an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. 3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation shown in this flowchart.

  First, patient registration is performed. Patient registration is performed by inputting the patient ID and characteristic information of the subject (S1).

  The data search unit 91 searches the storage unit 20 for the individual contour data 21 associated with the input patient ID (S2).

  When retrieved, that is, when there is the individual contour data 21 of the subject (S2: Yes), the data search unit 91 reads the individual contour data 21 from the storage unit 20 and sends it to the image processing unit 10 (S3). .

  On the other hand, when the individual contour data 21 of the subject has not been searched (S2: No), the data search unit 91 reads the standard contour data 23 associated with the input characteristic information and sends it to the image processing unit 11. (S4).

  The image analysis unit 11 generates a contour image based on the collection conditions (measurement depth information and the like) of the contour image data (individual contour data 21 or standard contour data 23) and the collection conditions in the current examination (S5). ). This contour image is, for example, an image in which the contour of the myocardium is drawn at a predetermined position (a position determined by the comparison of the collection conditions) in the transparent or translucent background image. It is assumed that the collection conditions for the current examination have been input by this stage (for example, input in step 1).

  A specific example of the contour image is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows contour images H1 and H2 when a three-dimensional image of a heart or a multi-plane image (here, a bi-plane image) is acquired, such as when a two-dimensional array probe is used. The contour images H1 and H2 represent, for example, the contours of the myocardium in cross sections orthogonal to each other. The contour image H1 represents, for example, the contour of the myocardium in the apex four-chamber tomography, and the contour image H2 represents, for example, the contour of the myocardium in the apex two-chamber tomography.

  Reference numerals R1 and R2 represent ultrasonic beam scanning areas set based on acquisition conditions, that is, image acquisition areas. Note that the scanning regions R1 and R2 do not have to be actually formed as images, and it is sufficient if the positions in the contour images H1 and H2 are set. The scanning regions R1 and R2 are used for alignment between the heart image and the contour images H1 and H2 in the superimposed display in step 7 below.

  Images L1 and L2 are images (intimal images) representing the intima of the myocardium, respectively. The images M1 and M2 are images (outer membrane images) representing the outer membrane of the myocardium, respectively.

  The operator brings the ultrasonic probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject and operates the operation unit 82 to start collecting heart images (S6). An ultrasonic jelly is applied in advance to the body surface of the subject.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 generates cardiac moving image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic beams at predetermined time intervals. The control unit 9 and the display control unit 7 display a moving image of the heart at a predetermined frame rate on the display unit 81 and display the contour image generated in step 5 on the moving image (S7). This process is performed, for example, by displaying a layer of a contour image on a layer for displaying a moving image of the heart.

  The operator can collect the moving image data of the heart while adjusting the method of applying the ultrasonic probe 2 and the collection conditions using the contour image as a guide for the position. The operator operates the operation unit 82 to end the collection. The collected moving image data is stored in the image storage unit 5 under the control of the control unit 9 (S8).

  The operator selects a predetermined frame from the frames constituting the collected moving image data. Here, for example, the end-diastolic frame corresponding to the R wave of the electrocardiogram can be selected. This selection process can also be performed automatically. The control unit 9 causes the display unit 81 to display the selected frame and the contour image in a superimposed manner (S9).

  An example of the display mode at this time is shown in FIG. Here, only one of the two cross sections in FIG. 3 (the contour image H1 side) is shown. FIG. 4 shows an example of superimposed display of a predetermined frame G1 of the heart moving image data and the contour image H1. In the frame G1, a tomographic image (for example, apical four-chamber tomographic image) P1 of the heart obtained by scanning the scanning region R1 with an ultrasonic beam is drawn.

  Subsequently, the contour image H1 is fitted to the contour region in the frame G1 (S10). This process is performed as follows, for example. First, the contour extracting unit 12 extracts the contour region of the tomographic image P1 by analyzing the frame G1 as described above. Thereby, in the frame G1, image regions corresponding to the intima and the epicardium of the myocardium are respectively extracted. Next, the contour image deforming unit 13 deforms the intima image L1 according to the extracted intima image region and also deforms the epicardium image M1 according to the extracted epicardial image region.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the contour image is deformed. FIG. 5 shows an inner membrane image L1 ′ and an outer membrane image M1 ′ that are automatically fitted. The operator can manually correct the result of the automatic fitting as necessary. This correction processing can be performed in the same manner as before. The correction result is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an intima image L1 ″ and an epicardium image M1 ″ that are each manually corrected.

  The contour tracking unit 14 analyzes the moving image data of the heart based on the contour image data after the fitting process, and tracks the contour region in the heart image corresponding to the contour of the myocardium (S11).

  The image analysis unit 11 calculates a heart wall motion parameter based on the tracking result of the contour image (S12). The obtained parameters are stored in the storage unit 20, for example, and are displayed as appropriate according to the operator's request.

  The contour image data subjected to the fitting process in step 10 is stored in the storage unit 20 in association with the patient ID of the subject. At this time, it is also possible to associate inspection date information. Further, the contour image data before the fitting process may be updated to the contour image data after the process. Above, description of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device 1 is complete | finished.

[Action / Effect]
The operation and effect of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described.

  The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 stores in advance contour image data representing the shape of the contour of the myocardium. When the moving image data of the heart is generated in the same manner as before, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 displays the contour image based on the contour image data and the heart image based on the moving image data in an overlapping manner. Here, the superimposed image may be a moving image or a still image (one frame). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 tracks a contour region corresponding to the contour of a myocardium by analyzing moving image data based on the contour image data.

  According to such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, instead of manually inputting an initial position for extracting a myocardial contour as in the prior art, contour extraction can be performed based on preliminarily prepared contour image data. Therefore, the inspection efficiency can be improved.

  In particular, since the individual contour data 21 of the subject and the standard contour data 23 corresponding to the characteristics of the subject can be selectively used, it is possible to improve the examination efficiency.

  Further, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, since the heart image and the contour image based on the currently generated moving image data can be displayed in an overlapping manner, the image collecting operation can be performed accurately. . As a result, the risk of performing the image collection operation again can be reduced, and a decrease in inspection efficiency can be avoided.

[Modification]
The contents described above are merely examples for suitably carrying out the present invention. That is, arbitrary modifications within the scope of the present invention can be made as appropriate.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the standard contour data 23 corresponding to the characteristics of the subject is automatically selected. However, the operator may select the standard contour data 23 manually. Is possible.

  For this purpose, for example, the contour image selection screen 100 shown in FIG. The contour image selection screen 100 presents options for contour images corresponding to various characteristics. In this modification, options corresponding to various cases are presented. More specifically, the contour image selection screen 100 corresponds to a contour image 110 corresponding to obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a contour image 120 corresponding to non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and corresponding to dilated cardiomyopathy. A contour image 130 is presented.

  In the storage unit 20, image data (standard contour data 23) of each contour image 110 to 130 is stored in advance in association with the characteristic information 24 (case).

  The operator selects and designates one of the contour images 110 to 130 based on the findings of the ultrasound image of the subject, past diagnosis records, and the like. This designation operation can be performed by clicking the corresponding software key 210, 220, 230.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this modification reads standard contour data 23 corresponding to the selected and designated contour image from the storage unit 20 and uses it as in the above embodiment.

  According to this modification, the operator can easily select and use a desired contour image.

  In the above embodiment, a contour image composed of a still image is displayed together with a moving image of the heart (step 7 in FIG. 2). However, a contour image composed of a moving image can be displayed together with a moving image of the heart. . As a specific example, moving image data of a contour image can be created in advance from heart moving image data acquired in the past, and displayed together with a new moving image of the heart. Note that the moving image data of the contour image is preferably stored in association with synchronization information with the electrocardiogram. Further, a contour image may be created and displayed in real time at predetermined intervals (for example, every frame or every several frames) while collecting moving image data of the heart.

  By using such moving image data of the contour image, it is possible to shorten the time required for the contour tracking process and improve the accuracy of the image collecting process. When a contour image composed of a moving image is displayed in the image collection process, it is desirable to display the contour image lightly in order to improve the visibility of the currently collected heart image.

  It is also possible to display only the contour image at the end diastole and the contour image at the end systole. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the standard of the motion range of the heart.

[program]
An embodiment of a program according to the present invention will be described. The program according to this embodiment controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be controlled is a device that transmits ultrasonic waves toward the heart of a subject, receives reflected waves from the heart, and generates moving image data of the heart based on the reception result of the reflected waves It is. In addition, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a contour image based on contour image data representing the shape of the contour of the myocardium is stored in advance.

  The program according to this embodiment causes such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to function as a control unit and an analysis unit. The control means causes the display means to display an outline image based on the outline image data and a heart image based on the moving image data of the heart. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 described above, the control unit 9 and the display control unit 7 correspond to control means. The analysis means analyzes moving image data based on the contour image data and tracks a contour region corresponding to the contour of the myocardium. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the image analysis unit 11 corresponds to an analysis unit.

  According to such a program, the efficiency of the examination of the heart wall motion can be improved as in the above embodiment. The program can be configured to cause the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to execute any operation described in the above embodiment.

  Further, the program according to the present invention can be recorded on an arbitrary recording medium readable by a computer. As this recording medium, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (CD-ROM / DVD-RAM / DVD-ROM / MO, etc.), a magnetic storage medium (hard disk / floppy (registered trademark) disk / ZIP, etc.), etc. are used. Is possible. It is also possible to store a program in a semiconductor memory or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to send and receive programs through a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart showing an example of operation | movement of embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device based on this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of the process which embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of the process which embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of the process which embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of the process which embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification of embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 7 Display control part 9 Control part 10 Image processing part 11 Image analysis part 12 Contour extraction part 13 Contour image deformation | transformation part 14 Contour tracking part 15 Contour data generation part 20 Storage part 21 Individual contour data 22 Patient ID
23 Standard contour data 24 Characteristic information 81 Display unit 82 Operation unit 91 Data search unit

Claims (11)

Generating means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the heart of a subject, receiving a reflected wave from the heart, and generating moving image data of the heart based on a reception result of the reflected wave;
Storage means for preliminarily storing contour image data representing the shape of the contour of the myocardium,
Display means;
Control means for causing the display means to display a contour image based on the contour image data and a heart image based on the moving image data superimposed on each other;
Analyzing means for analyzing the moving image data based on the contour image data and tracking a contour region corresponding to a contour of a myocardium;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The control means displays the heart image based on the moving image data currently generated by the generation means and the contour image in an overlapping manner.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The analysis means includes
Extracting means for analyzing the image data of one frame of the moving image data and extracting a contour region in the image data;
Deformation means for deforming the contour image so as to match the extracted contour region;
Including
Tracking the contour region by extracting a contour region in another frame based on the contour image data after deformation,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein The storage means stores in advance image data representing a contour of the myocardium of the subject as the contour image data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein An input means for inputting subject identification information;
The storage means stores in advance the contour image data of each of a plurality of subjects in association with subject identification information,
The control unit reads out the contour image data associated with the input subject identification information from the storage unit, displays the contour image and the heart image in an overlapping manner,
The analysis means tracks the contour region based on contour image data associated with the input subject identification information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4. The generation means generates image data of the heart and measurement depth information of the image data based on the reception result of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitted toward the subject's heart,
The analysis unit analyzes the generated image data to extract an image region corresponding to a contour of a myocardium, and creates the contour image data for the subject based on the image region and the measurement depth information Including creation means to
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein The storage means stores in advance image data representing a standard form of a myocardial contour as the contour image data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein An input means for inputting characteristic information representing the characteristics of the subject;
The storage means stores the contour image data of each of the plurality of characteristics of the subject in advance in association with the characteristic information,
The control means reads out the contour image data associated with the inputted characteristic information from the storage means, displays the contour image and the heart image in an overlapping manner,
The analysis means tracks the contour region based on contour image data associated with the input characteristic information.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7. An input means for inputting object identification information and characteristic information representing the characteristic of the object;
The storage means stores in advance image data representing the contours of the myocardium of each of the plurality of subjects as the contour image data in association with the subject identification information, and the myocardial standard for each of the plurality of characteristics of the subject. Image data representing a typical form is stored in advance in association with characteristic information,
The control unit searches the storage unit for contour image data associated with the input subject identification information, reads the searched contour image data if searched, and if not searched Reads out the contour image data associated with the inputted characteristic information, displays the contour image based on the contour image data read out from the storage means and the heart image,
The analysis means tracks the contour region based on the read contour image data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The characteristics of the subject include at least one of age, sex, height, weight, case, and medical condition.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that. A program for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave toward the heart of a subject, receives a reflected wave from the heart, and generates moving image data of the heart based on a reception result of the reflected wave There,
A function that serves as a control unit that displays a contour image based on contour image data representing a shape of a myocardial contour stored in advance in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a heart image based on the moving image data on a display unit;
Analyzing the moving image data based on the contour image data to function as an analysis means for tracking a contour region corresponding to a contour of a myocardium;
A program characterized by that.

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