JP2009189711A - Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus and ultrasonic image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus which can display a suitable position on a test sample of an ultrasonic probe corresponding to the purpose of the test as the test progresses. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is equipped with an observing indication memory part 113 for memorizing previously a sample image showing a position to which an ultrasonic probe 101 is irradiated for each test item, an indicated information control part 110 extracting a sample image in each input test item from the observing indication memory part 113 on the basis of the input test item, a display control part 104 displaying the sample image on a display means 106, a transmit-receive part 102 operating an observing position by transmit-receive of an ultrasonic wave through the ultrasonic probe 101 irradiated to the position shown in the sample image, and an image producing part 103 producing an ultrasonic image on the basis of the received ultrasonic wave. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasound image display method for transmitting and receiving ultrasound from an ultrasound probe to a subject and generating an ultrasound image based on a received ultrasound echo.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe toward a subject, receives ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic echoes”), and receives the received ultrasonic echoes. Is converted into an electric signal, and the luminance of each point is obtained based on the electric signal to generate an ultrasonic image that is a tomographic image of the subject.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has advantages that it is less invasive to a subject and is small in size compared to an image diagnostic apparatus using X-rays such as an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and a CT image diagnostic apparatus. However, on the other hand, diagnosis by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus requires a high degree of skill compared to other types of inspection apparatuses. Therefore, there is also a problem that whether or not a desired ultrasonic image can be obtained is highly dependent on the individual skill.

  Therefore, many studies have been made on ultrasonic inspection methods performed using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, “Two times scanning of the character“ ”” described in Non-Patent Document 1 is an example. According to this inspection method, by observing a plurality of organs according to a predetermined procedure, an inspection without oversight can be reliably performed. In this way, research methods have been researched and developed to perform ultrasound diagnosis reliably and promptly. However, whether or not they have acquired them and performed the test according to the test method is still up to the individual operator. It is left to workmanship.

  Conventionally, ultrasonic image data as a model (hereinafter referred to as “typical image”) is stored in a storage unit in advance, and reading control of the typical image is performed, and the typical image and the currently generated ultrasonic image and By displaying the images side by side, operators such as doctors and laboratory technicians (hereinafter simply referred to as “operators”) adjust the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe to bring the current ultrasound image closer to the typical image. Thus, a technique capable of generating a desired ultrasonic image (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been proposed. Thereby, the time for ultrasonic diagnosis can be shortened and the operator's workload can be reduced.

  In addition, the ultrasound image currently generated for the subject is displayed translucently on the monitor screen, and the ultrasound image collected in the previous examination for the same subject is used as the reference image in the same screen. (See, for example, Patent Document 2). As a result, the operator adjusts the position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe so that the current ultrasonic image is almost completely overlapped with the reference image, and further performs fine adjustment so that the degree of matching is the best, thereby achieving the desired An ultrasound image can be generated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-187244 JP 2004-305377 A Abdominal echo practice

  However, in the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since a rough position such as which position of the subject the ultrasonic probe is applied to is not known, a typical image or a reference image (hereinafter referred to as two images) In order to bring the images together and may be referred to as a “reference image”), the operator needs to know the approximate position to which the ultrasonic probe is applied. Further, in order to perform the above-described various ultrasonic inspection methods, it is necessary to apply ultrasonic probes to various positions in a series of inspections, and the operator must grasp all of them. For this reason, even if the above-described technique is used, the part depending on the operator's technique is large, and it is difficult for an unskilled operator to acquire an appropriate ultrasonic image, which is a time-consuming operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an ultrasonic diagnosis for displaying an appropriate position of an ultrasonic probe corresponding to the purpose of an inspection on a subject in accordance with the type of inspection item and the progress of the inspection. The object is to provide a device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 includes a storage unit that stores in advance a sample image indicating a position where the ultrasonic probe is applied to the subject for each examination item together with the examination item, and an input Instruction information management means for extracting the sample image corresponding to the input inspection item from the storage means based on the inspection item, display control means for displaying the sample image on the display means, and the sample image Transmitting and receiving means for scanning the observation region of the subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves toward the subject via the ultrasonic probe applied to the position shown in the sample image, and the scanning Ultrasonic image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the display control means, the display control means to display the generated ultrasonic image on the display means, And it is characterized in and.

  The ultrasonic image creating method according to claim 8 is based on a storage stage for storing a sample image indicating a position where an ultrasonic probe is applied to a subject for each examination item in advance together with the examination item, and on the inputted examination item. , An instruction information management step for extracting the sample image corresponding to the input examination item from the storage unit, a first display step for displaying the sample image on a display unit, and after displaying the sample image, A transmission / reception step of scanning an observation site of the subject by transmitting / receiving an ultrasonic wave toward the subject via the ultrasonic probe applied to a position shown in a sample image, and an ultrasound received by the scanning An ultrasonic image generation step of generating an ultrasonic image based on a sound wave; and a second display step of displaying the generated ultrasonic image on the display means. .

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 and the ultrasonic image display method according to claim 8, before performing inspection of a specific inspection item, the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the inspection item on the subject A sample image indicating the position can be displayed. Thereby, the operator can confirm the position to which the ultrasonic probe is applied in the inspection related to the inspection item to be performed by referring to the sample image. Then, the operator can easily generate a desired ultrasonic image in the current examination by applying the ultrasonic probe to the confirmed position.

  In addition, since it is possible to save the trouble of searching for a rough position of the ultrasonic probe for generating a desired ultrasonic image, it is possible to reduce the time spent for ultrasonic diagnosis. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the burden on the patient's examination.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The operator uses the user interface 105 including the display unit 106 and the input unit 107 to input the examination type. Here, the examination type refers to a series of examinations including examinations for one or a plurality of observation sites performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. This inspection type corresponds to the “inspection procedure” in the present invention. Examples of examination types include upper abdominal screening. The upper screening is a series of examinations including a plurality of examination items such as examination of the left liver lobe, examination of the stomach / abdominal aorta, examination of the pancreatic head, examination of the right liver lobe, and examination of the common bile duct. In the case of such an inspection type, an ultrasonic image is generated in an inspection for an observation site related to each inspection item. Here, the observation site is a part of the subject to be examined such as finding the affected site or observing the affected site, and refers to, for example, the liver, stomach, and abdomen. Hereinafter, the inspection related to each inspection item included in the inspection type, that is, the inspection performed for each observation site is referred to as “individual inspection”. Specifically, this individual examination is to generate an ultrasonic image by scanning the target observation site. The operator scans the observation region of the subject and generates an ultrasonic image at the observation region, and therefore places the ultrasonic probe 101 at a desired position on the subject. The operator can change the ultrasonic image to be generated by changing the position where the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied, the pressing force of the ultrasonic probe 101, the angle at which the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied, and the like. In addition, the emission of ultrasonic waves includes a location where an appropriate ultrasonic probe 101 for scanning each observation site is applied, a pressing force, an applied angle, and the like. Therefore, the operator needs to adjust the location where the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied, the pressing force, the applied angle, etc. so that the ultrasonic waves are emitted in the desired direction of the observation site.

  The ultrasonic probe 101 has an ultrasonic transducer (not shown). The ultrasonic probe 101 converts the pulse current sent from the transmission / reception unit 102 into ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic probe 101 transmits the ultrasonic wave toward the observation site of the subject. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 101 receives an ultrasonic wave reflected by a tissue such as an organ in the subject (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic echo”) by an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic probe 101 converts the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic transducer into an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as “echo signal”). The ultrasonic probe 101 outputs an electrical signal obtained by converting the ultrasonic echo to the transmission / reception unit 102.

  The transmission / reception unit 102 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit, and supplies a pulse current at a timing when a predetermined delay is given to each ultrasonic transducer based on control from the overall control unit 108. The ultrasonic transmission frequency can be changed by control from the overall control unit 108. The transmission / reception unit 102 amplifies the echo signal input from the ultrasonic transducer, gives a predetermined delay, etc., and then outputs it to the image generation unit 103. The transmission / reception unit 102 corresponds to “transmission / reception means” in the present invention.

  The image generation unit 103 performs an B-mode process on the echo signal input from the transmission / reception unit 102 and generates an ultrasonic image. This image generation unit 103 corresponds to “ultrasonic image generation means” in the present invention. The B mode process is the following process. The image generation unit 103 logarithmically amplifies the echo signal input from the transmission / reception unit 102. Furthermore, the image generation unit 103 detects the envelope of the log signal that has been logarithmically amplified. In the envelope detection, only the amplitude is detected by removing the ultrasonic frequency component. Further, the image generation unit 103 generates data in which the signal intensity of the detected echo signal is expressed by brightness. Further, an echo signal, which is raster data, is converted into orthogonal coordinate system data by a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) included in the image generation unit 103 so that it can be displayed on a normal monitor. As a result, a B-mode image in which the intensity of the echo signal is represented by luminance is generated. Then, the image generation unit 103 outputs the generated B-mode image (ultrasound image) data to the display control unit 104. The image generation unit 103 stores the generated image in a storage unit (not shown).

  Further, the image generation unit 103 outputs the luminance value at each point (for example, for each pixel) of the generated ultrasonic image to the probe operation determination unit 109 via the overall control unit 108.

  The overall control unit 108 performs overall control of the operation of each functional unit and the timing of the operation. In addition, information may be exchanged between the functional units via the overall control unit 108. However, for convenience of explanation, it may be described that information is directly exchanged between the functional units.

  The observation instruction storage unit 113 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory. The observation instruction storage unit 113 corresponds to the “storage unit” in the present invention. The observation instruction storage unit 113 stores in advance an inspection type table 200 in which the inspection types as shown in FIG. 2 and the order of individual inspections included in the inspection types are described. In this examination type table 200, for example, a plurality of individual examinations 210 correspond to examination types (for example, “upper abdominal screening 201”) which are a series of examinations. In the examination type table 200, the identification information of each individual examination 210 corresponding to each examination type is described in the order of the individual examinations performed for each examination type. Specifically, for example, when the examination type is “upper abdominal screening” 201 (name of examination type), as shown in FIG. 2, the individual examination with the left liver lobe as the observation site is the first and the identification information is “ # 1 ”, the individual examination with the stomach / abdominal aorta as the observation site is second and the identification information is“ # 2 ”, the individual examination with the pancreatic head as the target site is the third, and the identification information is“ # 3 ”, The individual examination with the right lobe of the liver as the observation site is the fourth and the identification information is “# 4”, the individual examination with the common bile duct as the observation site is the fifth, and the identification information is “# 5”. Describes the identification information of each individual test. Here, the observation site may be described at each individual examination so that the observation site to be observed can be easily understood. Further, in the present embodiment, the identification information of the individual inspection is made coincident with the order in which the individual inspection is performed for easy understanding, but the identification information may be a character or a symbol as long as it can be distinguished from the other.

  The observation instruction storage unit 113 stores a sample image representing an appropriate position of the ultrasonic probe 101 applied to the subject in each individual examination. Specifically, the sample image is an image showing a position where the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied on the image of the model subject as will be described later. Further, in each individual examination, the observation instruction storage unit 113 stores a typical image that is a typical ultrasonic image generated in each individual examination.

  Further, the observation instruction storage unit 113 corresponds to the instruction information in which the correspondence between the observation site 301, the sample image 302, the typical image 303, and the notice item 304 is described in each individual examination as shown in FIG. A table 300 is stored. FIG. 3 is an example of an instruction information correspondence table corresponding to upper abdominal screening. The matters to be noted are data such as matters to be noted in the observation of the observation site to be examined in each individual examination.

  The instruction information management unit 110 includes an inspection flow management unit 111 and an observation instruction presentation unit 112. The instruction information management unit 110 is a functional unit that extracts various information, sample images, typical images, and points to be noted corresponding to an examination to be performed in the future. This instruction information management unit 110 corresponds to “instruction information management means” in the present invention.

  The observation instruction presenting unit 112 receives input of identification information of “upper abdominal screening” which is the inputted examination type and identification information of the individual examination (the above-described number in the present embodiment) from the examination flow management unit 111. The observation instruction presentation unit 112 searches the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the identification information of “upper abdominal screening” which is the input examination type, and extracts the instruction information correspondence table 300 corresponding to the inputted examination type. .

  Further, the observation instruction presentation unit 112 searches the extracted instruction information correspondence table 300 based on the input identification information of the individual examination, and the name of the observation region 301 and the sample image 302 corresponding to the inputted individual examination. Identification information, identification information of the typical image 303, and a notice item 304 are extracted. For example, when “# 1” of identification information indicating “inspection using the left liver lobe as an observation site”, which is one individual test, is input, the observation instruction presenting unit 112 displays “liver left lobe” as the observation site 301, “A1” is extracted as the identification information of the sample image 302, “B1” is extracted as the identification information of the typical image 303, and “presence / absence of liver atrophy, presence / absence of unevenness of the liver, thickening of the gallbladder wall” is extracted.

  The observation instruction presentation unit 112 searches the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the identification information “A1” of the extracted sample image 302, and extracts a sample image corresponding to the input individual examination.

  The observation instruction presentation unit 112 searches the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the identification information “B1” of the extracted typical image 303, and extracts a typical image corresponding to the input individual examination.

  The observation instruction presentation unit 112 extracts the name of the observation site “liver left lobe”, the sample image of the identification information “A1”, the typical image of the identification information “B1”, and the notice item “presence / absence of liver atrophy, The presence / absence of unevenness, thickening of the gallbladder wall ”is output to the display control unit 104. Hereinafter, these pieces of information are collectively referred to as “instruction information”.

  When the operator inputs the start of the test, the test flow management unit 111 receives input of identification information of “upper abdominal screening 201” as the test type from the overall control unit. The inspection flow management unit 111 searches the inspection type table 200 stored in the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the input identification information of the inspection type. The examination flow management unit 111 identifies the individual examination 210 that uses the left liver lobe as the observation site among the individual examinations 210 corresponding to the upper abdominal screening 201 described in the examination type table 200. Extract information. Here, the identification information is “# 1” indicating the order. The inspection flow management unit 111 outputs the extracted identification information “# 1” to the observation instruction presentation unit 112. Then, the examination flow management unit 111 stores the identification information “# 1” of the individual examination 210 in which the observation site output to the observation instruction presenting unit 112 is the liver left lobe.

  After the sample image of the examination of the left liver lobe, which is the individual examination with the identification information “# 1”, is displayed and the operator actually applies the ultrasonic probe 101 to the subject and generates the image, the examination flow management unit 111 receives a notification of the completion of the examination of the left liver lobe of “# 1” input from the probe operation determination unit 109 (here, the individual examination end is the scanning of the next observation part after the examination of a specific observation part is completed) And the examination type table 200 is searched and the identification information of the individual examination 210 next to the upper abdominal screening is extracted. For example, when the identification information “# 1” of the individual examination 210 in which the observation site is the liver left lobe is input to the observation instruction presentation unit 112 one time ago, the examination flow management unit 111 performs the next individual examination observation. The identification information “# 2” of the individual examination 210 in which the region is the stomach / abdominal aorta is extracted. The inspection flow management unit 111 outputs the extracted identification information “# 2” to the observation instruction presentation unit 112. Here, in the present embodiment, the examination type table 200 is described in the order in which individual examinations are performed. Therefore, the examination flow management unit 111 is based on the identification information of the individual examination 210 currently stored. The individual inspection 210 immediately below the stored individual inspection 210 is determined as the next individual inspection 210. By doing so, for example, even when an individual test 210 in the middle is deleted, it is possible to skip the deleted individual test 210 and extract the next individual test 210. However, other methods may be used. For example, when the identification information is a serial number and scanning in the middle is not deleted, simply add the number stored in 1 to the next number. It may be a number.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 has a storage unit such as a memory. The probe operation determination unit 109 receives an input of a luminance value at a predetermined point (for example, for each dot) of the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 103 based on the ultrasonic data acquired for each inspection item. In the present embodiment, luminance values are acquired for all points on the ultrasonic image. This may be a part of the ultrasonic image as long as it is a comparable part. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores the luminance value of each point for each frame. Here, one frame refers to an ultrasonic image generated by one scan, and the image generation unit 103 can generate several tens of ultrasonic images, that is, several tens of frames of ultrasonic image. . The number of frames generated per second is called a frame rate. In this embodiment, the frame rate is 20 frames / second.

  The probe motion determination unit 109 counts the number of each point of the stored ultrasonic image of the frame for each luminance value, and the vertical axis as shown in the graph 401 shown in FIG. The luminance information graph is created in which the horizontal axis is the luminance value normalized so that the maximum luminance is 1. This pixel frequency corresponds to the “luminance value distribution” in the present invention. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a luminance information graph, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example of the luminance information graph. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores the created luminance information graph.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame with the luminance information graph 10 frames before. Here, the comparison means calculating the difference between the pixel frequency at each luminance value of the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and the pixel frequency at each luminance value of the luminance information graph 10 frames before corresponding. . The probe operation determination unit 109 does not perform comparison between the first frame and the 10th frame when there is no ultrasonic image 10 frames before, that is, the generation of the ultrasonic image is started. Here, it is difficult to determine the difference because the difference is small when comparing frames of close time, and it is natural that the difference is naturally different when comparing frames of dissimilar time. Will become difficult. Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 101 moves greatly, it is considered that the difference in the luminance information graph appears sufficiently if the time of 10 frames is reached. In this embodiment, it is 10 frames before, but this number of frames is preferably set according to the use environment. Next, a method for comparing luminance information graphs will be specifically described.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 stores 30 (the unit is the number of pixels) as a threshold value of the image frequency at each luminance of the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and the luminance information graph 10 frames before. Furthermore, the probe operation determination unit 109 stores 30% as a threshold value of the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the threshold value among the luminance values in the luminance information graph. The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether the ultrasonic probe 101 is moving in the scanning direction or toward the next observation site based on the image frequency threshold and the ratio threshold. Further, the probe operation determination unit 109 has a timer inside. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores 10 seconds as a time threshold. The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not scanning of a specific observation site, that is, a specific individual examination is started based on the threshold of this time.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the image frequency at each luminance between the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and the luminance information graph 10 frames before. Then, the probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not the threshold value of 30 stored in each luminance value, which is an image frequency threshold, is exceeded. After finishing the determination for each luminance, the probe operation determination unit 109 calculates the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the threshold to the whole.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the calculated threshold exceeds 30%, which is a stored ratio threshold. When the operator starts inspection and starts observation of the first observation site, or when moving from the currently observed observation site to the next observation site, the ultrasonic probe 101 is moved to the target observation site. 101 needs to be moved. When the ultrasonic probe 101 is moving, the ultrasonic wave is reflected in different positions because the direction in which the ultrasonic wave is emitted differs between the current frame and 10 frames before. Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 101 is moving, the current luminance information graph and the luminance information graph 10 frames before are greatly different. For example, the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame is a graph like the graph 401 shown in FIG. 4A, and the luminance information graph 10 frames before is the graph 402 shown in FIG. 4B. This is the case. Then, as in the case where the current luminance information graph is the graph 401 and the luminance information graph before 10 frames is the graph 402, the current luminance information graph and the luminance information graph before 10 frames are compared, and the pixel frequency If the luminance value exceeding the threshold value is generated in 30% or more of the whole, it can be determined that the ultrasonic probe 101 is moving.

  On the other hand, when the operator scans the observation site after moving the ultrasound probe 101 to a predetermined position in the individual examination, the operator fixes the position of the ultrasound probe 101 and sets the desired observation site. Scan. When the position of the ultrasonic probe 101 is fixed, the direction in which the ultrasonic wave is emitted is almost the same as 10 frames before, and the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and the luminance information graph 10 frames before are displayed. It will be almost the same. Specifically, for example, the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and the luminance information graph 10 frames before 10 are both luminance information graphs approximate to the graph 401. Then, when the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame is compared with the luminance information graph 10 frames before, and the luminance value exceeding the threshold is within 30% of the whole, the position of the ultrasonic probe 101 is fixed. It can be judged.

  The operation of the probe operation determination unit 109 when comparing the luminance method graph corresponding to the current frame with the luminance information graph 10 frames before is as follows.

  When it is determined that the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the calculated threshold is within 30%, the probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether the calculated ratio in the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame has exceeded 30%. To do. When the calculated ratio in the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame exceeds 30%, the probe operation determination unit 109 starts measuring time with a timer that it has. When the calculated ratio in the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame is within 30%, the time measurement by the already started timer is continued. Then, the probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not a frame whose calculated ratio is within 30% continues for 10 seconds or more. Here, in this embodiment, it can be determined whether or not it has continued for 10 seconds or more by referring to the measurement time by the timer in the probe operation determination unit 109. However, this may be another method, for example, the number of frames can be used. For example, when the frame rate is 20 frames per second, 200 frames continuously calculated at a rate of 30% or less continues, and the probe operation determination unit 109 continues to calculate frames at a rate of 30% or less for 10 seconds or more. I can judge. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores a scan start flag when a frame with a calculated ratio within 30% continues for 10 seconds or more.

  Further, when the probe operation determination unit 109 determines that the calculated ratio exceeds 30%, the probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether the calculated ratio in the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame has exceeded 30%. When the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame is within 30%, the probe operation determination unit 109 ends the time measurement by the timer that it has. Further, the probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether or not a scan start flag is stored. When the scanning start flag is stored, the probe operation determination unit 109 outputs a notification that the ultrasonic probe 101 has moved to the next observation site, that is, a notification that the individual inspection has ended, to the inspection flow management unit 111. . Then, the probe operation determination unit 109 deletes the scan start flag. If the calculated ratio in the comparison result of the immediately preceding frame exceeds 30%, the process proceeds to the comparison of the next frame as it is.

  Furthermore, since the probe operation determination unit 109 acquires the luminance information of each point of the ultrasonic image for each frame from the image generation unit 103, the frame number of the current frame can be acquired. The frame number is the number of frames when counting from the first frame generated in the inspection to the current frame. Therefore, the probe operation determination unit 109 sends the frame number of the frame in which each individual examination is started and the frame number of the frame in which each individual examination is completed to the storage unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the image generation unit 103 generates the frame number. A configuration in which the image is stored together with the ultrasonic image is also possible. Thereby, the operator can easily cue each individual examination by designating the frame number.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 described above corresponds to the “probe operation determination unit” in the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen when the first individual examination of the upper abdominal screening is performed. The display control unit 104 stores a format of a display screen for ultrasonic diagnosis as shown in FIG. The display control unit 104 causes the display unit 106 to display a display screen based on the stored format. The display control unit 104 corresponds to “display control means” in the present invention.

  Therefore, an example of a specific display screen will be described. Hereinafter, description will be made according to the positions of the images and characters displayed in FIG. However, this arrangement is an example, and what information may actually be displayed at any position. The display control unit 104 displays the operator name 501, patient name 502, gender 503, and age 504 input from the overall control unit 108 in the upper left part of the display screen. Further, the display control unit 104 displays the ultrasonic image 505 input from the image generation unit 103 at the lower left of the display screen. As described above, this image is an image (real-time image) currently generated for examination. In addition, the display control unit 104 displays the examination type 506 input from the observation instruction presentation unit 112 at the upper right of the display screen, here “upper abdomen screening”, the current observation site 507 that is the currently scanned observation site, and its The individual examination number, here “1. Liver left lobe” is displayed. Further below, the display control unit 104 displays the sample image 510 input from the observation instruction presenting unit 112. As described above, the sample image 510 is an image representing a position where the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied to the subject in the individual examination currently being performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in the sample image 510, a position 511 to which the ultrasonic probe 101 in each individual examination included in the examination type currently performed is applied is displayed on the model of the subject. In addition, a number 512 for each individual examination is displayed on a position 511 to which the displayed ultrasonic probe 101 is applied. Further, in the sample image 510, in order to make it easy to understand the position 511 to which the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied in the individual examination currently being performed, the position is emphasized by an arrow 513. Further, the display control unit 104 displays a typical image 509 below the sample image 510. As described above, the typical image 509 is an image of a typical example of an image to be obtained when the current observation site is scanned.

  Further, when the next individual inspection is started, instruction information corresponding to the individual inspection is displayed on the display screen. For example, when the second individual examination in the upper abdominal screening is performed, a display screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen when the second individual examination of the upper abdominal screening is performed. As shown in FIG. 6, a sample image 510 corresponding to the second individual examination is displayed. In the sample screen in this case, the position to which the ultrasonic probe 101 is applied in the second individual examination is highlighted by an arrow 513.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the flow of creation and display of the display screen in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the creation and display of the display screen in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Step S001: The operator inputs an inspection type using the user interface 105, and further inputs an instruction to start an inspection.

  Step S002: The inspection flow management unit 111 searches the inspection type table stored in the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the inspection type input via the overall control unit 108, and is included in the input search type. The identification information of the first individual inspection among the individual inspections to be acquired is acquired.

  Step S003: The observation instruction presentation unit 112 searches the instruction information correspondence table stored in the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the identification information of the individual examination input from the examination flow management unit 111, and observes the observation part and the sample. The ID of the image, the ID of the typical image, and the notes are acquired.

  Step S004: The observation instruction presenting unit 112 searches the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the ID of the sample image and the ID of the typical image, and acquires the sample image and the typical image.

  Step S005: The observation instruction presentation unit 112 transmits the acquired observation site, sample image, typical image, and instruction information such as notes to the display control unit 104 via the overall control unit 108.

  Step S006: The inspection flow management unit 111 determines whether or not a notification of completion of the individual inspection is received from the probe operation determination unit 109. If received, the process proceeds to step S007. If it has not been received, it waits until it receives notification of completion of the individual examination.

  Step S007: The examination flow management unit 111 searches the examination type table stored in the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the stored examination type and the identification information of the current predetermined part examination, and performs the next individual examination. Determine the presence or absence. If there is a next individual inspection, the process proceeds to step S008. If there is no next individual inspection, it is determined that all the individual inspections are completed, and the acquisition and transmission of the instruction information is ended.

  Step S008: The examination flow management unit 111 searches the examination type table stored in the observation instruction storage unit 113 based on the stored examination type and the identification information of the current predetermined part examination, and performs the next individual examination. Get identification information for.

  Step S <b> 009: Upon receiving an input to start examination, the transmission / reception unit 102 transmits / receives ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic probe 101.

  Step S0010: The image generation unit 103 generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic echo data input from the transmission / reception unit 102.

  Step S0011: The display control unit 104 creates a display screen using the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 103 and the instruction information input from the observation instruction presentation unit 112 based on the stored format. To do.

  Step S012: The display control unit 104 causes the display unit 106 to display the created display screen.

  Next, the flow of the probe operation determination in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a probe operation determination in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Step S101: The image generation unit 103 generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic echo data input from the transmission / reception unit 102. (This step is the same as step S001 in FIG. 7)

  Step S102: The probe operation determination unit 109 acquires information on luminance values at each point of the ultrasonic image generated from the image generation unit 103.

  Step S103: The probe operation determination unit 109 creates and stores a luminance information graph corresponding to the ultrasonic image based on the luminance value at each point of the acquired ultrasonic image.

  Step S104: The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the pixel frequency for each luminance value of the luminance information graph of the ultrasonic image 10 frames before and the luminance information graph of the current ultrasonic image. The probe operation determination unit 109 calculates the ratio of luminance values that exceed the threshold among all luminance values.

  Step S105: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not the calculated ratio exceeds a ratio threshold value. If the ratio is less than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S106. If the ratio threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S108.

  Step S106: The probe operation determination unit 109 confirms whether or not the ratio of the luminance values exceeding the threshold in the comparison performed in the immediately preceding frame exceeds the ratio threshold. If the ratio threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S107. If the ratio is less than or equal to the threshold value, the process returns to step S101.

  Step S107: The probe operation determination unit 109 starts time measurement using a timer that the probe operation determination unit 109 has. Return to step S101.

  Step S108: The probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether or not the ratio of the luminance values exceeding the threshold in the comparison performed in the immediately preceding frame exceeds the ratio threshold. If the ratio threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S109. If the ratio is less than or equal to the threshold value, the process returns to step S101.

  Step S109: The probe operation determination unit 109 ends the time measurement by the timer that it has.

  Step S110: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether the measured time exceeds a time threshold. If the time threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S111. If it is equal to or less than the time threshold, the process returns to step S101.

  Step S111: The probe operation determination unit 109 notifies the inspection flow management unit 111 of the end of the individual inspection. In step S006 of FIG. 7, the inspection flow management unit 111 determines whether or not the notification issued in step S111 has been received.

  Here, in this embodiment, a typical image is displayed together with an ultrasonic image in order to obtain a desired ultrasonic image more easily. However, if only a rough position to which an ultrasonic probe is applied in an individual inspection is grasped. The typical image may not be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, in order to perform the examination more efficiently, the current observation site, patient information, considerations, and the like are displayed together with the ultrasound image. However, such information may not be displayed.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the sample image corresponding to the currently performed individual examination can be displayed on the display screen together with the currently generated ultrasonic image. Therefore, the operator can grasp a rough position on which position of the ultrasonic probe should be applied from the sample image when scanning the observation site. The operator can easily acquire an ultrasonic image close to the typical image by applying the ultrasonic probe to the position.

  Furthermore, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the typical image is displayed together with the ultrasonic image. Therefore, after the operator grasps the rough position of the rough ultrasonic probe at the position indicated by the sample image, the typical image is displayed. By adjusting the position of the ultrasonic probe so as to be closer to, an image closer to the typical image, that is, an image required for the inspection can be acquired.

[Second Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method for determining the end of the individual examination. In the following, therefore, the determination of the end of the individual inspection by the probe operation determination unit will be mainly described. The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 stores 30 as the luminance value threshold, 30% as the ratio threshold, and 10 seconds as the time threshold.

  Further, the probe operation determination unit 109 stores a circle having a radius of 5 cm as a threshold value of the range of the image area in which the luminance center of gravity moves in the ultrasonic image. This is a threshold value that defines the moving area of the luminance centroid as will be described later.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 receives an input of the luminance value of each point of the currently displayed ultrasonic image from the image generation unit 103. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores the threshold value of the luminance value of each input point.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 creates a luminance information graph corresponding to the input ultrasonic image based on the luminance value of each point.

  Further, the probe operation determination unit 109 calculates the luminance centroid in the input ultrasonic image based on the luminance value of each point.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 calculates and stores the luminance centroid of the ultrasonic image for each frame.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the pixel frequency of 10 frames before and the current pixel frequency, and when a frame whose luminance value exceeds the threshold value is 30% or less continues for 10 seconds or more, the individual inspection is started. to decide.

  After determining that the individual inspection is started, the probe operation determination unit 109 refers to the stored luminance centroid, and determines any one of the luminance centroids of the ultrasonic image acquired by the individual inspection as the reference luminance centroid. To do. In the present embodiment, the luminance centroid of the ultrasonic image when the timer for measuring the time in which the luminance value exceeding the threshold is 30% or less of the entire frame is started is set as the reference luminance centroid. For example, the luminance centroid of the ultrasonic image of the frame when it can be determined that 10 seconds after the timer is started, that is, when the individual examination is started may be used as the reference luminance centroid.

  Then, after determining that the individual inspection has started, if the luminance value exceeding the threshold exceeds 30% by comparing the pixel frequency 10 frames before and the current pixel frequency, the probe operation determination unit 109 Is compared with the reference luminance centroid. When the distance between the current luminance centroid and the reference luminance centroid exceeds 5 cm, which is the threshold value of the image area range in which the luminance centroid moves, the probe operation determination unit 109 checks the end of the individual inspection. Output to the flow management unit 111.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the flow of determination of the end of the individual inspection in the probe operation determination unit 109 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the determination of the end of the individual inspection in the probe operation determination unit 109 according to the present embodiment.

  Step S201: The image generation unit 103 generates an ultrasonic image based on ultrasonic echo data input from the transmission / reception unit 102. (This step is the same as step S001 in FIG. 7)

  Step S202: The probe operation determination unit 109 acquires information on luminance values at each point of the ultrasonic image generated from the image generation unit 103.

  Step S203: The probe operation determination unit 109 creates and stores a luminance information graph corresponding to the ultrasonic image based on the luminance value at each point of the acquired ultrasonic image.

  Step S204: Based on the luminance value at each point of the acquired ultrasonic image, the probe operation determination unit 109 calculates and stores the luminance centroid corresponding to the ultrasonic image.

  Step S205: The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the pixel frequency for each luminance value between the luminance information graph of the ultrasonic image 10 frames before and the luminance information graph of the current ultrasonic image. The probe operation determination unit 109 calculates the ratio of luminance values that exceed the threshold among all luminance values.

  Step S206: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not the calculated ratio exceeds a ratio threshold value. If it is equal to or less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S207. If the ratio threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S209.

  Step S207: The probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether or not the ratio of the luminance values exceeding the threshold in the comparison performed in the immediately preceding frame exceeds the ratio threshold. If the ratio threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is equal to or less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S209.

  Step S208: The probe operation determination unit 109 starts measuring time using a timer that the probe operation determination unit 109 has. After this step, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S209: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether the time measured by the timer included in the probe operation determination unit 109 exceeds the time threshold. If the time threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S210. If it is less than or equal to the time threshold, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S210: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether or not a reference luminance center of gravity has already been set. If not yet determined, the process proceeds to step S211. If it has already been set, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S211: The probe operation determination unit 109 refers to the luminance centroid stored by itself, and sets the luminance centroid in the ultrasonic image when the timer starts time measurement as the reference luminance centroid.

  Step S212: The probe operation determination unit 109 checks whether or not the ratio of the luminance values exceeding the threshold in the comparison performed in the immediately preceding frame exceeds the ratio threshold. If the time threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S213. If it is within the time threshold, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S213: The probe operation determination unit 109 ends the time measurement by the timer that it has.

  Step S214: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether the measured time exceeds a time threshold. If the time threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S215. If it is less than or equal to the time threshold, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S215: The probe operation determination unit 109 determines whether the distance between the current luminance centroid and the reference luminance centroid exceeds a threshold value. If it exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S216. If it is less than or equal to the time threshold, the process returns to step S201.

  Step S216: The probe operation determination unit 109 notifies the inspection flow management unit 111 of the end of the individual inspection.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the probe motion determination unit has a luminance value whose pixel frequency exceeds the threshold exceeds a predetermined ratio, and the luminance centroid in the ultrasonic image is When the predetermined threshold is exceeded, it is determined that the individual inspection is completed.

[Third Embodiment]
The following describes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is for inspecting an organ such as a heart that performs periodic exercise, and the method for comparing luminance information graphs is different from the first and second embodiments. . Therefore, the comparison of the luminance information graphs by the probe operation determination unit will be mainly described below. The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIG.

  In the case of an organ that performs a periodic motion such as the heart, the generated ultrasonic image changes every moment, and if the same position is scanned, an almost similar ultrasonic image is generated after one cycle. become. Therefore, the probe operation determination unit 109 according to the present embodiment compares the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame with the luminance information graph corresponding to the previous frame. This will be specifically described below.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 receives an input of a luminance value at each point of the ultrasonic image for each frame from the image generation unit 103.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 receives a heartbeat from an external electrocardiograph or the like. The probe operation determination unit 109 counts the number of frames from the R wave of the electrocardiogram waveform to the current frame, and acquires the number of frames. The probe operation determination unit 109 stores a luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame and stores the number of frames from the acquired R wave to the current frame.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 searches the number of frames from the R wave of each frame in the previous cycle stored, and has the same number of frames as the number of frames from the R wave to the current frame. A luminance information graph of the frame (hereinafter referred to as “luminance information graph one cycle before”) is acquired.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 compares the luminance information graph corresponding to the current frame with the luminance information graph of the previous cycle.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 determines that the individual inspection is started when a frame in which the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the threshold is within 30% continues for 10 seconds.

  The probe operation determination unit 109 performs an individual inspection when a frame in which the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the threshold value is within 30% continues for 10 seconds or more and then a frame in which the ratio of the luminance value exceeding the threshold value exceeds 30% appears. The completed notification is output to the observation instruction presentation unit 112.

  Also, in the probe operation determination unit 109 according to the present embodiment, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 101 may be determined using the determination using the luminance center of gravity in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the luminance information graphs of the previous frame and the current frame are compared to determine the start or end of predetermined site scanning. This makes it possible to determine the operation of the ultrasonic probe even in an examination of an organ having a periodic movement such as the heart.

Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention Illustration of an example of inspection type table An example of an instruction information correspondence table (A) Diagram of an example of a luminance information graph (B) Diagram of another example of a luminance information graph Illustration of an example for explaining the display screen Another example diagram for explaining the display screen Diagram of display screen creation and display flowchart The figure of the flowchart of the probe operation determination by the ultrasonic probe which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of probe operation determination by the ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Ultrasonic probe 102 Transmission / reception part 103 Image generation part 104 Display control part 105 User interface 106 Display part 107 Input part 108 General control part 109 Probe movement determination part 110 Instruction information management part 111 Inspection flow management part 112 Observation instruction | indication presentation part 113 Observation Instruction storage unit

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing in advance a sample image indicating the position of applying the ultrasonic probe to the subject for each inspection item together with the inspection item;
Instruction information management means for extracting the sample image corresponding to the input inspection item from the storage means based on the input inspection item;
Display control means for displaying the sample image on a display means;
Transmission / reception means for scanning an observation site of the subject by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves toward the subject via the ultrasonic probe applied to the position indicated in the sample image after the sample image is displayed; ,
An ultrasonic image generating means for generating an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the scanning,
The display control means causes the display means to display the generated ultrasonic image.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Probe operation determining means for determining that the inspection related to the inspection item is completed,
The instruction information management means is instructed when the probe operation determining means determines that the inspection related to one inspection item is completed when receiving an instruction to execute an inspection procedure including a plurality of different inspection items. Extracting the sample image corresponding to the next inspection item;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The storage means stores a sample image of the inspection item in an inspection procedure including a plurality of different inspection items.
The instruction information management means includes
After receiving an instruction to execute the inspection procedure, an inspection flow management unit that receives information on the next inspection item from the storage unit in response to a determination that the inspection related to one of the inspection items is completed;
An observation instruction presenting means for extracting the sample image corresponding to the next inspection item acquired by the inspection flow management means;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:   The probe operation determination unit acquires a luminance value of a predetermined point of the generated ultrasonic image from the image generation unit, and the distribution of the luminance value of the ultrasonic image whose luminance value acquired most recently is a predetermined time ago 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when a predetermined threshold value stored in advance is exceeded, the inspection relating to the inspection item is determined to have ended. 5. When the observation site in the previous period performs periodic movement,
The probe operation determination unit acquires the luminance value of each point of the generated ultrasonic image from the image generation unit, and the distribution of the luminance value of the ultrasonic image whose latest acquired luminance value is one period before is obtained. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when a predetermined threshold value stored in advance is exceeded, the inspection relating to the inspection item is determined to have ended. 5.   The probe operation determination means includes a timer, and the latest acquired luminance value distribution does not exceed the predetermined threshold value compared with the luminance value distribution of each point of the ultrasonic image before the predetermined time. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the time exceeds a predetermined time stored in advance, it is determined that the inspection related to the inspection item is completed.   The probe operation determination means calculates the luminance centroid of the ultrasonic image from the acquired luminance value, and the inspection relating to the inspection item is completed when the luminance centroid is out of a predetermined range. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a determination is made. A storage stage for storing in advance a sample image indicating the position of applying the ultrasonic probe to the subject for each inspection item together with the inspection item;
An instruction information management step for extracting the sample image corresponding to the input inspection item from the storage means based on the input inspection item;
A first display stage for displaying the sample image on a display means;
A transmission / reception step of scanning the observation site of the subject by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves toward the subject via the ultrasonic probe applied to the position indicated in the sample image after the display of the sample image; ,
An ultrasonic image generation step of generating an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the scanning;
A second display stage for displaying the generated ultrasonic image on the display means;
An ultrasonic image display method characterized by comprising: