JP2009285315A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein established facts about an ovulation day are used as information on an estimated ovulation day. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic image data generation means 1, 2 for generating ultrasonic image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, a display means 4 for displaying ultrasonic image data as an ultrasonic image, a follicle diameter measuring means 3 for measuring the follicle diameter of an ultrasonic image displayed on the display means 4, a follicle diameter storage means 10 for storing a follicle diameter value measured by the follicle diameter measuring means 3 with reference to the measurement date and hour, a subject's menses start day input means 15 for inputting her menses start day, a menses start day storage means 12 for storing a menses start day, and an ovulation day estimation means 9 for estimating a subject's first ovulation day on the basis on follicle diameter values measured on different days and hours, and also estimate her second ovulation day on the basis on her menses start day stored in the menses start day storage means 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that scans a subject with ultrasound and generates an image of the subject based on the obtained echo signal, and more particularly, ultrasound diagnosis that measures a follicle and predicts an ovulation day. Relates to the device.

  In order for a person to become pregnant, the ovum after ovulation needs to be fertilized. Therefore, in order to perform infertility treatment, it is necessary to accurately know the date of ovulation in advance.

  As a method for predicting the date of ovulation, there is a method of measuring the follicle diameter with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is widely known that in the ovulation cycle, the follicle diameter can be observed with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from about 7 mm, and then the follicle diameter increases, ovulation occurs at around 20 mm, and then the follicle diameter decreases and disappears. Therefore, the ovulation date can be predicted based on the increase / decrease value of the follicle diameter and the value of the follicle diameter measured by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  A configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having conventional ovulation day prediction means is shown in FIG. 7 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic probe 101 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject based on the transmission processing of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 102, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, and converts them into electrical signals. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 102 converts the converted electrical signal into ultrasonic image data, and displays it on the display unit 104 as an ultrasonic image. The display unit 104 includes an ovulation day prediction data display unit 105 that displays ovulation day prediction data.

  The follicle diameter measuring unit 103 measures the diameter of the follicle designated by the input unit 114. The input unit 114 has a related data input unit 113 for inputting data related to the ovulation cycle, data related to medication, and basic information and environmental information of the subject. The storage unit 112 includes a follicle diameter storage unit 109, an ovulation date storage unit 110, and a related data storage unit 111. The follicle diameter storage unit 109 stores the value of the measured follicle diameter. The ovulation date storage unit 110 stores the past ovulation date of the subject. The related data storage unit 111 stores data input from the related data input unit 113.

  The ovulation day prediction unit 108 includes a threshold setting unit 106 and an ovulation day calculation unit 107. The threshold setting unit 106 sets the value of the follicle diameter immediately before ovulation in order to predict the ovulation date from the data stored in the storage unit 112. The ovulation day calculation unit 107 is based on statistical methods, data based on the past follicular diameter value of the subject, data related to the ovulation cycle, related information stored in the related data storage unit 111, and the like. The ovulation date is calculated using a mining technique.

The ovulation date calculated by the ovulation day prediction unit 108 can be predicted using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above configuration.
Norihiko Morimoto, 4 others, “Observation of follicles by ultrasonic tomography: examination of transvaginal scanning method”, Journal of Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, February 1983, Volume 35 , No. 2, p. 151-158 JP 2007-159924 A

  The above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic diagnosis predicts and stores the ovulation day by analyzing the temporal change of the follicle diameter of each subject or the trend of the basal body temperature and the hormone amount.

  However, the predicted ovulation date is analyzed from the measured values of follicle diameter, basal body temperature, and hormone amount, and is not factual information. For this reason, the accuracy of predicting the date of ovulation may not be sufficient.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can predict an ovulation date more accurately than before, and can use an established fact relating to the ovulation date as information on the predicted ovulation date.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject and generates ultrasonic image data, and the ultrasonic image data. Display means for displaying as an ultrasound image, follicle diameter measuring means for measuring the follicle diameter from the ultrasound image displayed on the display means, and the value of the follicle diameter measured by the follicle diameter measuring means is associated with the measurement date and time The follicle diameter storage means to be stored, the menstrual start date input means to input the menstrual start date of the subject, and the follicular diameter stored at the follicle diameter storage means based on the follicular diameter values at different measurement dates and times. An ovulation date predicting means for predicting the first predicted ovulation date of the examiner and predicting the second predicted ovulation date of the subject based on the menstrual start date stored in the menstrual start date storage means; It is characterized by that.

  Further, the ovulation day prediction means, threshold setting means for setting the maximum value of follicle diameter as a threshold, the rate of increase over time calculated from the value of the follicle diameter stored in the follicle diameter storage means, and The first ovulation day calculating means for calculating the first predicted ovulation date based on the threshold set by the threshold setting means can be provided.

  The ovulation date predicting means includes a menstrual cycle setting means for setting a menstrual cycle calculated from the menstrual start date stored in the menstrual start date storage means, and a menstrual cycle set by the menstrual cycle setting means. And a second ovulation day calculating means for calculating the second predicted ovulation date from the menstrual start date.

  The ovulation date storage means for storing the ovulation date of the subject is further provided, and the threshold setting unit is stored in the follicle diameter storage means on the basis of the ovulation date acquired from the ovulation date storage means. It can be set as the structure which acquires the value of the follicle diameter of an ovulation day, and sets the said threshold value based on the acquired value of the follicle diameter.

  The display unit further includes related data input means capable of inputting a measurement result of related data that changes in conjunction with the ovulation cycle, and related data storage means for storing the related data, wherein the display unit stores the follicle diameter memory. An ovulation day prediction data display means for displaying at least one of the data stored in the means, the ovulation date storage means, and the related data storage means with time can be provided.

  The related data may include at least one of a basal body temperature, a hormone concentration, and a last menstrual day.

  According to the present invention, by predicting the date of ovulation based on the start date of menstruation, it is possible to use an established fact relating to the date of ovulation as information on the predicted date of ovulation, and to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with high accuracy of predicting ovulation Can do.

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

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 1 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject based on the transmission processing of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, and converts them into electrical signals. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 converts the converted electric signal into ultrasonic image data, and displays it on the display unit 4 as an ultrasonic image. Moreover, the display part 4 is provided with the ovulation day prediction data display part 5 which displays ovulation day prediction data.

  The follicle diameter measuring unit 3 measures the diameter of the follicle by, for example, specifying two points in the follicle displayed on the display unit 4 from the input unit 17. The input unit 17 includes a menstruation start date input unit 15 that inputs a menstrual start date, data related to an ovulation cycle, data related to medication, and a related data input unit 16 that inputs basic information and environmental information of a subject. have.

  The storage unit 14 includes a follicle diameter storage unit 10, an ovulation date storage unit 11, a menstrual start date storage unit 12, and a related data storage unit 13. The follicle diameter storage unit 10 stores the value of the follicle diameter measured by the follicle diameter measurement unit 3. The ovulation date storage unit 11 stores the past ovulation date of the subject. The menstrual start date storage unit 12 stores the past menstrual start date of the subject input from the menstrual start date input unit 15. The related data storage unit 13 stores the data input from the related data input unit 16.

  The ovulation day prediction unit 9 includes a threshold setting unit 6, a menstrual cycle setting unit 7, and an ovulation day calculation unit 8. The threshold setting unit 6 sets the value of the follicular diameter immediately before ovulation in order to predict the ovulation date from the data stored in the storage unit 14. Further, the value of the follicle diameter immediately before ovulation may be a value input from the input unit 17. The menstrual cycle setting unit 7 calculates and sets the menstrual cycle from the data stored in the menstrual start date storage unit 12. The ovulation date calculation unit 8 is set by the subject's past follicle diameter value, data relating to the ovulation cycle, menstrual start date stored in the menstrual start date storage unit 12, and the menstrual cycle setting unit 7. The predicted ovulation date is calculated using a statistical method, a data mining method, or the like based on the menstrual cycle and the related information stored in the related data storage unit 13.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the ultrasonic probe 1 transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the examination site (follicle) of the subject by a control signal from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 constructs ultrasonic image data by the received ultrasonic wave, and the display unit 4 displays the ultrasonic image data as an ultrasonic image (step S101). When the ultrasonic image is displayed, the operator operates a pointing device or the like while viewing the ultrasonic image, and designates the follicle to be measured from the input unit 17. The follicle diameter measuring unit 3 calculates the follicular diameter value designated by the operator (step S102), and causes the ovulation day prediction data display unit 5 to display the follicular diameter value at the time of the examination. Furthermore, the follicle diameter storage unit 10 stores the value of the measured follicle diameter.

  In the ovulation day prediction unit 9, the value of the follicle diameter immediately before ovulation is set as a threshold value, and the rate of increase in follicle diameter per day is set (step S103). The threshold value can be set as a fixed value in advance. In addition, when setting a threshold value specific to a subject, it can be input from the input unit 17 using a keyboard or the like. Alternatively, it is possible to set by reading out a plurality of past ovulation days immediately before from the ovulation day storage unit 11 and reading out the maximum follicle diameter value from the follicle diameter on the read day from the follicle diameter storage unit 10. In addition, by averaging the maximum value of the follicle diameter in each ovulation cycle, a threshold unique to the subject can be set.

  Moreover, the increase rate of the follicle diameter per day can be set in advance as a fixed value. When setting the increase rate of the follicle diameter unique to the subject, it can be set by inputting from the input unit 17 with a keyboard or the like. Alternatively, the average increase rate (for multiple ovulation cycles) at which the value of the follicle diameter becomes maximum from the time when the appearance of the follicle can be confirmed from the past follicle diameter data of the subject stored in the follicle diameter storage unit 10. An average may be used) and calculated as a rate of increase in follicle diameter unique to the subject.

  Next, when the past menstrual start date of the subject is input in the menstrual start date input unit 15 (step S104), the menstrual start date storage unit 12 stores the past menstrual start date of the subject. Further, the menstrual cycle setting unit 7 reads the past menstrual start date of the subject stored in the menstrual start date storage unit 12, and calculates and sets the menstrual cycle (step S105). The menstrual cycle setting unit 7 can set the average of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle can be set as a fixed value in advance. When the menstrual cycle of the subject is set, it can be set by inputting from the input unit 17 with a keyboard or the like.

  Next, the ovulation day calculation unit 8 has a follicle diameter value at the time of inspection measured by the follicle diameter measurement unit 3, a follicle diameter value just before the ovulation date set by the threshold setting unit 6, and an ovulation day calculation unit 8. The predicted ovulation date (hereinafter referred to as the first predicted ovulation date) is calculated from the follicular diameter increase rate set or calculated in (Step S106). As a specific calculation method for the first predicted ovulation date, first, the value of the follicle diameter at the time of the test is subtracted from the value of the follicle diameter immediately before the ovulation date, and the subtracted value is divided by the increase rate of the follicle diameter. The divided value is the estimated number of days from the inspection date to the date of ovulation. By adding this estimated number of days to the inspection date, the first predicted ovulation date can be calculated. The ovulation day prediction data display unit 5 displays the first prediction ovulation day calculated by the ovulation day calculation unit 8 (step S107).

Further, the ovulation day calculation unit 8 calculates a predicted ovulation day (hereinafter, second prediction) from the latest menstruation start date stored in the menstrual start date storage unit 12 and the average menstrual cycle set by the menstrual cycle setting unit 7. (Referred to as ovulation day) (step S108). In particular,
Second predicted ovulation date = (menstrual start date) + (menstrual cycle) −14 days (Equation 1)
Calculate using. The ovulation day prediction data display unit 5 displays the second prediction ovulation day calculated by the ovulation day calculation unit 8 (step S109).

  On the other hand, from the related data input unit 16 having an interface such as a USB interface, data representing changes over time such as basal body temperature and hormone concentration is input as data related to the ovulation cycle and stored in the related data storage unit 13. These stored related data are actively used for predicting the ovulation date by the ovulation day calculation unit 8, and together with the follicle diameter data stored in the follicle diameter storage unit 10, an ovulation day prediction data display is performed. It is displayed on the unit 5 over time (step S110).

  Examples of displayed related data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a graph showing temporal changes in basal body temperature in a subject's past ovulation cycle, where the ovulation day is 0 days. The ovulation day is divided into a low temperature period 21 and a high temperature period 22. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the change over time in the amount of LH (luteinizing hormone) secreted as a hormone concentration in the subject's past ovulation cycle, where the ovulation day is 0 days. It increases rapidly just before the day of ovulation and decreases rapidly after ovulation.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the change over time of the follicular diameter value in the past ovulation cycle of the subject, where the ovulation day is 0 days. The follicle diameter becomes maximum immediately before ovulation and decreases or disappears after ovulation. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the menstrual start date and the ovulation date in the past menstrual cycle of the subject, where the ovulation date is 0 day. Here, when the current examination date is A, the number of days of examination date A with respect to the menstrual start date using the already entered menstrual start date (sixth day from the menstrual start date. 8 days).

  For this reason, it is possible to understand as a date where biological information such as follicle diameter, basal body temperature, and hormone amount is located on the examination date A from the date of the established fact of menstruation start date to the date of ovulation.

  On the ovulation day prediction data display unit 5, the average value of changes in the follicle diameter value in the past ovulation cycle of the subject shown in FIG. 5 is displayed from the follicle diameter storage unit 10. Further, the relationship between the menstrual start date and the ovulation date in the past menstrual cycle of the subject shown in FIG. 6 is displayed from the menstrual start date storage unit 12 and the menstrual cycle setting unit 7. Furthermore, the graph which shows the average of the change of the basal body temperature and LH value in the past ovulation cycle of the subject shown to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 from the related data storage part 14 is displayed. Note that these graphs may be displayed side by side or displayed in a superimposed manner. Furthermore, the graph which shows the time-dependent change of the value of the measured follicle diameter in the ovulation cycle which should predict an ovulation day shown in FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, by associating the examination date with the menstrual start date, it is possible to easily understand where the examination date is located from the date of the established fact that the menstrual start date to the date of ovulation. it can.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment can calculate the second predicted ovulation date based on the established fact of the menstrual start date. For this reason, the prediction accuracy of the ovulation date by the operator can be improved.

  Furthermore, the variation of factors such as the follicle diameter increase rate that is the calculation base of the first predicted ovulation day and the variation of factors such as the menstrual cycle that is the calculation base of the second prediction ovulation date By increasing the priority (importance) of low data, the prediction accuracy can be further increased.

  In addition, the analysis of individual variation in follicle diameter by the operator and consideration of the variation in ovulation date prediction, the start date and menstrual cycle, and changes in basal body temperature and hormone concentration during the ovulation cycle Work that takes data into account can be supported. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the data analysis work in predicting the ovulation date of the operator.

  Furthermore, in addition to more types of related data in ovulation day prediction, such as basic biological information of subjects (height, weight, body fat percentage, calorie consumption, blood pressure, etc.), genetic information, medical history, treatment calendar, And calculating the degree of importance (contribution) for each factor to calculate the predicted value of ovulation date by calculating the correlation coefficient between each factor, taking into account living environment information, etc. Thus, the ovulation date can be predicted with higher accuracy.

  In the above description, the data stored in the related data storage unit 13 is the basal body temperature and the LH value. However, other data such as estrogen, progesterone, and FSH that change during the ovulation cycle can be similarly applied. is there.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st predicted ovulation date and the 2nd predicted ovulation date were calculated, the structure which calculates only any one may be sufficient.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has the advantage of being able to predict the date of ovulation by measuring the follicle diameter and taking the start date of menstruation into account, and is useful in the medical field, particularly in infertility treatment. is there.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this invention Flow chart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention Graph showing basal body temperature in the ovulation cycle A graph showing the amount of LH in the ovulation cycle Graph showing the follicle diameter in the ovulation cycle A graph showing the menstrual start date and ovulation date in the menstrual cycle Block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 3 Follicle diameter measurement part 4 Display part 5 Ovulation day prediction data display part 6 Threshold setting part 7 Menstrual cycle setting part 8 Ovulation day calculation part 9 Ovulation day prediction part 10 Follicle diameter storage part 11 Ovulation Date storage unit 12 Menstruation start date storage unit 13 Related data storage unit 14 Storage unit 15 Menstruation start date input unit 16 Related data input unit 17 Input unit 21 Low temperature period 22 High temperature period

Claims (6)

Ultrasonic image data generating means for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to the subject and generating ultrasonic image data;
Display means for displaying the ultrasonic image data as an ultrasonic image;
Follicle diameter measuring means for measuring the follicle diameter from the ultrasonic image displayed on the display means;
Follicle diameter storage means for storing the value of the follicle diameter measured by the follicle diameter measuring means in association with the measurement date;
Menstruation start date input means for inputting the menstrual start date of the subject;
Menstruation start date storage means for storing the menstruation start date;
Predicting the first predicted ovulation date of the subject based on the follicular diameter values of different measurement dates and times stored in the follicle diameter storage means, and the menstrual start date stored in the menstrual start date storage means An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ovulation day prediction means for predicting a second predicted ovulation date of the subject based on the ovulation date. The ovulation day prediction means, threshold setting means for setting the maximum value of the follicle diameter as a threshold,
The first ovulation date for calculating the first predicted ovulation date based on the rate of increase over time calculated from the follicle diameter value stored in the follicle diameter storage means and the threshold value set by the threshold value setting means The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit. The ovulation date predicting means is a menstrual cycle setting means for setting a menstrual cycle calculated from the menstrual start date stored in the menstrual start date storage means,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second ovulation day calculating unit that calculates the second predicted ovulation date from the menstrual cycle set by the menstrual cycle setting unit and the menstrual start date. . Further comprising ovulation date storage means for storing the ovulation date of the subject;
The threshold setting unit obtains the value of the follicle diameter of the ovulation day stored in the follicle diameter storage means based on the ovulation date acquired from the ovulation date storage means, and based on the acquired follicle diameter value The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the threshold is set. Related data input means that enables input of measurement results of related data that change in conjunction with the ovulation cycle;
Further comprising related data storage means for storing the related data,
The display unit includes ovulation day prediction data display means for displaying at least one of the data stored in the follicle diameter storage means, the ovulation date storage means, and the related data storage means over time. Item 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the related data includes at least one of a basal body temperature, a hormone concentration, and a last menstrual day.

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