JP2009207588A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can easily confirm blood flow on a puncture guide while using a puncture needle. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a puncture guide display processing part 103 for processing puncture guide display, a gate movement processing part 108 for processing gate movement by the input of a track ball 110, and a gate movement area limitation part 107 for limiting the movement of a doppler gate to an area displayed in the puncture guide display part 103. It is made possible to easily move the doppler gate to an optional location on the puncture guide. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus for confirming blood flow on a puncture guide.

A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a power Doppler image of a puncture needle based on an ultrasonic echo Doppler signal from a vibrating puncture needle 8 as shown in FIG. An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus suitable for obtaining a Doppler signal and imaging a puncture needle by MTI (Moving Target Indicator) processing for an echo signal having a packet length of 2 obtained by sound wave transmission / reception is realized. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Whether there is a large blood vessel or the like in the passing area of the puncture needle is checked by using Doppler mode or the like before inserting the puncture needle.
JP 11-235340 A (summary)

  However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when the puncture needle is used, the operator works while facing the direction different from the console, so the Doppler gate is placed on the puncture guide using a two-dimensional input device such as a trackball. Moving to a desired location is very difficult due to the large degree of freedom because it is necessary to match the one operating in the two-dimensional region to one point. Along with this, the operation took time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and by limiting the freedom of the operation range, the Doppler gate can be easily moved to a desired location on the puncture guide, and the operation time can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be shortened.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes control means for limiting the movable range of the Doppler gate to a range in the vicinity of the puncture guide displayed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image.

  This configuration facilitates moving the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention further includes means for limiting the movable range of the Doppler gate along the puncture guide displayed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image, and includes a foot switch capable of operating the position of the Doppler gate. ing.

  This configuration allows the operator to move the Doppler gate to the desired location on the puncture guide using the foot.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention further includes a voice recognition device that includes means for limiting the movable range of the Doppler gate along the puncture guide displayed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image, and that can operate the position of the Doppler gate. I have.

  With this configuration, the operator can move the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide without using hands or feet.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention further includes means for automatically moving the Doppler gate in the vicinity of the puncture guide.

  With this configuration, the operator can check the blood flow along the puncture guide without performing the operation of moving the Doppler gate.

  In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes means for displaying a mark corresponding to the Doppler signal intensity on the ultrasonic diagnostic image.

  This configuration makes it possible to identify the Doppler signal intensity on the puncture guide.

  Moreover, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes means for changing the color of the puncture guide according to the Doppler signal intensity.

  With this configuration, the Doppler signal intensity on the puncture guide can be identified without hiding the diagnostic image.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention further includes means for analyzing the ultrasonic diagnostic image and moving the Doppler gate to the tip of the puncture needle.

  With this configuration, the operator can check the Doppler signal ahead of the puncture needle without operating the Doppler gate.

  The present invention has an effect that it becomes easy to move the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide by limiting the movable range of the Doppler gate along the puncture guide displayed on the ultrasonic diagnostic image. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic processing unit 109 that controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves and acquires ultrasonic signals. An ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image; and a Doppler sound that converts a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into sound data. A generation unit 106, a speaker 101 that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit 106, a puncture guide display processing unit 103 that generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming a puncture position, and a puncture guide display position As a control means for limiting the movable area of the Doppler gate in an area in the vicinity of the puncture guide along the gate, a gate movement area restriction unit 107 is provided.

  Furthermore, a trackball 110 used when an operator moves the Doppler gate, a gate movement processing unit 108 for controlling the position of the Doppler gate according to the input from the trackball 110 and the restriction of the gate movement region restriction unit 107, A gate display processing unit 104 for generating a Doppler gate graphic for confirming the position of the Doppler gate, a diagnostic image output from the ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105, and a puncture guide output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103 And an image composition processing unit 102 that synthesizes the Doppler gate graphic output from the gate display processing unit 104, and a display device 100 that displays the output of the image composition processing unit 102.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be notified to the operator. In addition, when the operator adjusts the position of the gate using the trackball 110, the gate movement processing unit 108 causes the gate movement area limiting unit 107 to make the movable area of the gate within the vicinity of the puncture guide. Limited.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, the gate movement area limiting unit 107 that limits the movable area of the Doppler gate is provided in the area along the puncture guide display position. By limiting the degree of freedom, it becomes easy to move the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide, and the operation time can be shortened. A configuration in which a Doppler waveform is displayed on the display device 100 and the Doppler sound generation processing unit 106 and the speaker 101 are not provided may be used. Next, FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention controls an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic processing unit 109 to acquire, an ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image, and a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 A Doppler sound generation unit 106 that converts to sound data, a speaker 101 that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit 106, and a puncture guide display processing unit that generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming the puncture position 103, and a gate movement area restriction unit 107 that restricts a movable area of the Doppler gate in an area along the puncture guide display position.

  Furthermore, a foot switch 212 used when the operator moves the Doppler gate, a gate movement processing unit 108 for controlling the position of the Doppler gate according to the input from the foot switch 212 and the restriction of the gate movement region restriction unit 107, A gate display processing unit 104 for generating a Doppler gate graphic for confirming the position of the Doppler gate, a diagnostic image output from the ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105, and a puncture guide output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103 And an image composition processing unit 102 that synthesizes the Doppler gate graphic output from the gate display processing unit 104, and a display device 100 that displays the output of the image composition processing unit 102.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be transmitted to the operator. In addition, the operator adjusts the position of the gate using the foot switch 212. At this time, the gate movement processing unit 108 restricts the movable region of the gate along the puncture guide by the gate movement region restriction unit 107.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention as described above, the gate movement area limiting unit 107 and the foot switch 212 that limit the movable area of the Doppler gate to the area along the puncture guide display position are provided. By providing, it becomes easy for the operator to move the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide without releasing the hands from the ultrasound probe 111 and the puncture needle. Here, it is preferable to use a foot switch 212 that can select at least two functions. A configuration in which a Doppler waveform is displayed on the display device 100 and the Doppler sound generation processing unit 106 and the speaker 101 are not provided may be used.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention controls an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic processing unit 109 to acquire, an ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image, and a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 A Doppler sound generation unit 106 that converts to sound data, a speaker 101 that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit 106, and a puncture guide display processing unit that generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming the puncture position 103, and a gate movement area restriction unit 107 that restricts a movable area of the Doppler gate in an area along the puncture guide display position.

  Furthermore, the voice input unit 314 that collects the voice of the operator, the voice recognition processing unit 313 that recognizes the voice input by the voice input unit 314 and generates a movement command of the Doppler gate, and the voice recognition processing unit 313 A gate movement processing unit 108 for controlling the position of the Doppler gate according to the input and the restriction of the gate movement region restriction unit 107; a gate display processing unit 104 for generating a Doppler gate graphic for confirming the position of the Doppler gate; An image composition processing unit 102 that combines a diagnostic image output from the image generation processing unit 105, a puncture guide graphic output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103, and a Doppler gate graphic output from the gate display processing unit 104. And a display device 100 for displaying the output of the image composition processing unit 102. It is a configuration that.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be notified to the operator. In addition, the operator adjusts the gate position by voice to the voice input unit 314. At this time, the gate movement processing unit 108 restricts the movable region of the gate along the puncture guide by the gate movement region restriction unit 107.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention as described above, the gate moving area limiting unit 107 and the voice input unit 314 that limit the movable area of the Doppler gate to the area along the puncture guide display position. By providing the voice recognition processing unit 313, the operator can easily move the Doppler gate to a desired location on the puncture guide without releasing the hands from the ultrasound probe 111 and the puncture needle. A configuration in which a Doppler waveform is displayed on the display device 100 and the Doppler sound generation processing unit 106 and the speaker 101 are not provided may be used.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention controls an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves and outputs ultrasonic signals. An ultrasonic processing unit 109 to acquire, an ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image, and a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 A Doppler sound generation unit that converts the sound data into sound data; and a speaker that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit.

  Further, a puncture guide display processing unit 103 that generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming the puncture position, a gate position determination unit 415 that automatically moves an area along the puncture guide display position, and the gate position determination unit The gate movement processing unit 108 for moving the Doppler gate to the position determined in 415, the gate display processing unit 104 for generating a Doppler gate graphic for confirming the position of the Doppler gate, and the ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105. An image synthesis processing unit 102 that synthesizes a diagnostic image, a puncture guide graphic output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103, and a Doppler gate graphic output from the gate display processing unit 104; and the image synthesis processing unit 102 And a display device 100 that displays the output.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be notified to the operator. The gate position determination unit 415 automatically moves the Doppler gate along the puncture guide without the operator performing the position operation of the Doppler gate. The movement is a reciprocating movement.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the Doppler gate automatically moves in the region along the puncture guide display position, the operator can puncture the ultrasonic probe 111 and the puncture. The blood flow in the basin along the puncture guide can be confirmed without releasing the hand from the needle.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show screen configurations.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention controls an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic processing unit 109 to acquire, an ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image, and a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 A Doppler sound generation unit that converts the sound data into sound data; and a speaker that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit.

  Furthermore, a blood flow marker generation unit 516 that detects a blood flow from the Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 and generates a blood flow marker graphic, and generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming the position of the puncture Puncture guide display processing unit 103 to be operated, a gate position determination unit 415 for automatically moving an area along the puncture guide display position, and a gate movement processing unit to move the Doppler gate 619 to the position determined by the gate position determination unit 415 108, a gate display processing unit 104 that generates a Doppler gate graphic for confirming the position of the Doppler gate, a diagnostic image output from the ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105, and an output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103 The puncture guide graphic and the Doppler gate graph output from the gate display processing unit 104 A configuration having an image synthesis processing unit 102 for synthesizing the blood flow markers graphics output from Ikku blood flow marker generating unit 516 and a display device 100 for displaying the output of the image synthesis processing unit 102. The blood flow marker is a figure or icon as indicated by reference numeral 620 in FIG. 6, or a color or thickness of the puncture guide partially changed as indicated by reference numeral 721 in FIG.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be notified to the operator. The gate position determination unit 415 automatically moves along the puncture guide even if the operator does not perform the position operation of the Doppler gate. The movement is a reciprocal movement, and more specifically, for example, in FIG. 6, when the Doppler gate 619 moves to the left, it moves along the upper puncture guide and moves to the right. Move the upper side along the lower puncture guide.

  In addition, when moving automatically, it can set so that the center part within the range enclosed by the puncture guide may be moved. Further, the blood flow marker generation unit 516 adds a blood flow marker to a place where there is blood flow.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the Doppler gate automatically moves in the region along the puncture guide display position, the operator can puncture the ultrasonic probe 111 and the puncture. The blood flow in the basin along the puncture guide can be confirmed without removing the hand from the needle, and even if there is blood flow when the operator is looking away from the Doppler gate position, The location of the flow can be confirmed.

  In this embodiment, since the Doppler gate can be displayed without displaying the Doppler gate, the gate display processing unit 104 is not provided, or the image composition processing unit 102 synthesizes the Doppler gate graphic. It may be a configuration that does not.

  Next, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention controls an ultrasonic probe 111 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and outputs ultrasonic signals. An ultrasonic processing unit 109 to acquire, an ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105 that converts an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 into a diagnostic image, and a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic processing unit 109 A Doppler sound generation unit that converts the sound data into sound data; and a speaker that outputs sound data output from the Doppler sound generation unit.

  Further, a puncture needle tip detection processing unit 822 that detects the tip of the puncture needle from the image generated by the ultrasonic image generation processing unit 105, and a puncture guide display that generates a puncture guide graphic for confirming the position of the puncture A processing unit 103, a gate movement processing unit 108 for moving the Doppler gate to the tip of the puncture needle detected by the puncture needle tip detection processing unit 822 or a region beyond the tip, and a Doppler gate for confirming the position of the Doppler gate Gate display processing unit 104 for generating graphics, diagnostic images output from the ultrasound image generation processing unit 105, puncture guide graphics output from the puncture guide display processing unit 103, and outputs from the gate display processing unit 104 Image synthesizing processing unit 102 for synthesizing the Doppler gate graphic and the image synthesizing process It is configured to have a display device 100 for displaying the output of 102.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the Doppler sound at the Doppler gate position is output from the speaker 101, and the presence or absence of blood flow can be notified to the operator. When the operator operates the puncture needle, the puncture needle tip detection processing unit 822 detects the tip of the puncture needle and sets a Doppler gate near the tip of the puncture needle.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, since the Doppler gate automatically moves in the region along the puncture guide display position, the operator can puncture the ultrasonic probe 111 and the puncture. The blood flow near the tip of the puncture needle can be confirmed without removing the hand from the needle.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the Doppler gate can be easily moved to a desired location on the puncture guide, and ultrasonic imaging for confirming blood flow on the puncture guide. It is useful as a method and apparatus.

The block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention Display image explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention Display image explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the seventh embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Conventional technique Ultrasonic probe 4 Conventional technique object 6 Conventional technique transmission / reception part 8 Conventional technique puncture needle 10 Conventional technique B-mode processing part 12 Conventional technique Doppler processing part 14 Conventional technique image processing part 16 Conventional technique Display unit 18 Conventional control unit 20 Operation unit 22 Drive unit 100 Display device 101 Speaker 102 Image composition processing unit 103 Puncture guide display processing unit 104 Gate display processing unit 105 Ultrasound image generation processing unit 106 Doppler sound generation processing unit 107 Gate movement region limiting unit 108 Gate movement processing unit 109 Ultrasonic processing unit 110 Trackball 111 Ultrasonic probe 212 Foot switch 313 Speech recognition processing unit 314 Voice input unit 415 Gate position determination unit 516 Blood flow marker generation unit 617 Ultrasound Image 618 Puncture guide 619 Doppler game G 620 Blood flow marker 721 Puncture guide with blood flow display 822 Puncture needle tip detection processing unit

Claims (7)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising control means for limiting a movable range of a Doppler gate to a range in the vicinity of a puncture guide displayed on an ultrasonic diagnostic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a foot switch capable of operating a position of the Doppler gate. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice recognition device capable of operating a position of the Doppler gate. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically moving the Doppler gate in the vicinity of the puncture guide. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a mark corresponding to the Doppler signal intensity on the ultrasonic diagnostic image. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing a color of the puncture guide according to the Doppler signal intensity. 7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for analyzing an ultrasonic diagnostic image and moving a Doppler gate to the tip of the puncture needle.

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