JP2010000142A - Ultrasonic volume data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form the three-dimensional image of an entire large tissue in three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosing. <P>SOLUTION: A 3D probe 16 is abutted to two or more positions on a body surface 12 to obtain two or more pieces of local volume data 18, 18A and 18B. An integrating processing part 34 constructs integrated volume data by integrating the two or more pieces of local volume data. At the time, interpolation processing and mediation processing are applied. When integrating the two or more pieces of local volume data, information indicating relation between a global coordinate system and respective local coordinate systems is utilized. A positioning system 20 is provided therefor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, and more particularly to a three-dimensional image processing technique.

  The present invention is the result of a research funded by the 2005 Health and Labor Sciences Research Grant (Research title: Development research on nano-intelligent technology devices in intrauterine surgery of high-risk fetuses).

  Recently, three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosis is becoming popular in the medical field. In the three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosis, ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received to / from a three-dimensional space in a living body, and a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is formed based on the volume data obtained thereby. Several methods have been proposed for obtaining volume data.

  The first method uses a probe including a 1D array transducer and a mechanism for mechanically scanning the transducer. The second method uses a probe provided with a 2D array transducer. In the first and second methods, since the formed three-dimensional space is relatively small, it is difficult to represent the entire large tissue (for example, the placenta or fetus in the late pregnancy) as one three-dimensional image. As an alternative, it is conceivable to provide a large transducer and a large scanning mechanism in the probe, thereby forming a large three-dimensional measurement space. However, in that case, the probe becomes large and heavy, and the operability is significantly reduced. At the same time, the patient feels uncomfortable or oppressive.

  A third method is to manually scan a probe with 1D array vibration on the body surface. In this case, the position and orientation of the probe (that is, coordinate information of each beam scanning plane) are measured by a positioning system such as an encoder, a magnetic sensor, or an optical sensor. However, in the case of the manual scanning method, the arrangement of the beam scanning planes constituting the volume data is likely to be lost, and it is difficult to move the beam scanning planes at a high speed when configuring the volume data.

JP 2007-37781 A

  From the above, in the medical field, for more accurate diagnosis or for more accurate tissue measurement, the electronic scanning or mechanical scanning of the beam scanning surface is used, but the 3D New methods that can form sonic images are eagerly desired. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for storing a plurality of pieces of data acquired by an MR apparatus, a CT apparatus, a US apparatus, and the like according to a global coordinate system. However, each data is independent from each other after storage, and they are not integrated.

  An object of the present invention is to form a three-dimensional image of a large tissue. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to form a large three-dimensional imaging space while using a small probe that electronically or mechanically scans the beam scanning plane.

  The present invention is a means for generating integrated volume data based on a plurality of local volume data, the relationship between a local coordinate system defining each local volume data and a global coordinate system defining the integrated volume data An integration unit that generates the integrated volume data by executing a process of integrating the plurality of local volume data based on the relationship information representing the image, and an image formation that forms a three-dimensional image based on the integrated volume data And an ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of local volume data can be integrated using the relationship information associated with each of them, and thereby integrated volume data can be constructed. That is, large volume data representing a three-dimensional range having a size that cannot be covered by a single capture can be acquired. Therefore, even when only a part of the specific tissue can be displayed on the three-dimensional image until now, the whole of the specific tissue can be displayed as a three-dimensional image by using the above method. Of course, it is also possible to measure a three-dimensional shape (such as volume calculation) for such a specific tissue. Unlike the conventional method of acquiring a plurality of frame data at the same time while moving the probe, the above method is basically in a stationary state because each probe is in a stationary state when acquiring each local volume data. The problem that the arrangement of the scanning planes constituting the volume data is not likely to occur. Further, according to this method, there is an advantage that one volume data can be acquired at high speed by electronic scanning or mechanical scanning of the scanning surface. Moreover, since a wide range of integrated volume data can be constructed, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional image that has been difficult to form and to realize tissue measurement that has been difficult to measure.

  The local volume data can be acquired using a 3D probe including a 2D array transducer or a 3D probe including a 1D array transducer and a mechanism for performing mechanical scanning thereof. The relationship information defines the relationship between the global coordinate system and the local coordinate system, and may be the coordinate information itself of the probe, or information generated by converting the coordinate information. Also good. The integration process can be performed simultaneously with the acquisition of individual local volume data, or can be performed after the acquisition of a plurality of local volume data is completed. Regarding the former, if a three-dimensional image that grows in stages is displayed based on the integrated volume data that grows in stages, it is possible to determine which part should be subjected to ultrasonic wave transmission and reception next. It becomes easy. Further, according to such a configuration, an operation such as assigning new local volume data to a portion with insufficient image quality and improving the image quality of the portion becomes easy. The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus may be configured by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or a general-purpose computer. The local volume data is preferably data for tissue image formation, but it may be Doppler data for blood flow image formation.

  Preferably, the probe includes a probe that sequentially acquires the plurality of local volume data, and a unit that acquires coordinate information about the probe when the local volume data is acquired. They are in a partially overlapping relationship with each other and in a mutually different relationship in time, and the relationship information is the coordinate information or is generated based on the coordinate information. According to the said structure, a probe is comprised as a portable transducer, and the contact position and contact attitude | position of a probe to the biological body surface can be arbitrarily changed by user operation. Since the integrated volume data is configured by the relationship information, it is not necessary to strictly determine the position and orientation of the local volume data. The present invention can be applied even when a plurality of local volume data are separated from each other or adjacent to each other, but each three-dimensional transmission / reception space has a partial overlap between the plurality of local volume data. It is desirable to define (each local coordinate system). However, the above configuration can also be applied when using a probe supported by a scanner or a robot. For example, even if two local volume data are completely duplicated, since the integration process is performed using the relationship information, no particular trouble occurs. Rather, such overlapping capture contributes to improving image quality. It is desirable that the target organization is a static organization, and such an organization can solve or reduce the problem of time lag when configuring the integrated volume data. However, it is also possible to acquire a plurality of local volume data at a specific time phase based on a synchronization signal such as an electrocardiogram signal and integrate them.

  Preferably, the integration unit includes an interpolation processing unit that generates an interpolation data group to be mapped to the global coordinate system by an interpolation process on the plurality of local volume data, and the integrated volume data is configured by the interpolation data group. Is done. Since there is generally a difference in data arrangement between the global coordinate system and the local coordinate system, it is desirable to apply an interpolation process in order to cope with the difference. As the interpolation processing, it is desirable to apply the three-dimensional interpolation processing, but other interpolation processing such as two-dimensional interpolation processing may be applied, or simple interpolation processing such as selection and substitution of neighboring values is applied. You may do it.

  Preferably, the integration unit further includes an arbitration processing unit that executes an arbitration process when a plurality of interpolation data is given to the same address in the global coordinate system and a race condition occurs. Since there is an overlapping portion between a plurality of local volume data, the arbitration process is generally required at the overlapping portion. Preferably, the arbitration processing unit applies an average process to the plurality of interpolation data in the competitive state. Preferably, the arbitration processing unit applies a weighted average process to the plurality of interpolated data in the competing state according to the acquisition order of the plurality of volume data. Preferably, the arbitration processing unit selects the latest interpolation data generated from the latest volume data from the plurality of interpolation data in the competitive state.

  Preferably, the interpolation processing unit individually applies interpolation processing to the local volume data in the order of acquiring the plurality of local volume data, whereby second and subsequent local volume data are acquired. Each time the integrated volume data is updated, the image forming unit updates the three-dimensional image in response to the update of the integrated volume data. According to this configuration, the integrated volume data is refreshed as the local volume data is acquired, and the three-dimensional image is also refreshed, so that it is possible to immediately evaluate the past transmission / reception results, and to easily determine the next transmission / reception wave position. Etc. can be obtained.

  Preferably, the interpolation processing unit executes the interpolation processing after acquisition of the plurality of local volume data is completed, and the interpolation processing unit is based on a reference data set existing across the plurality of local volume data. A function of generating interpolation data to be given to the target coordinate in the global coordinate system.

  Preferably, the integrated volume data has a size including a large tissue having a size that does not fit in one local volume data, and the three-dimensional image is an image representing the large tissue. Preferably, the large tissue is a fetus or placenta. In particular, it has been difficult in the past to fit a fetus or placenta in late pregnancy into a single volume data, but according to the above configuration, such a tissue can be included in a single integrated volume data, and thus cannot be provided so far. In addition, an advantage is provided that three-dimensional images and whole measurement data can be provided.

  According to the present invention, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a large tissue can be formed. Alternatively, a large three-dimensional measurement space can be formed while using a general probe that electronically scans or mechanically scans the beam scanning surface.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, three-dimensional data obtained by positioning a 3D probe at an arbitrary position on the surface of a living body and executing two-dimensional beam scanning in this state is referred to as “local volume data”. It is defined by the “local coordinate system”. If two-dimensional beam scanning is repeated at each position while changing the position of the 3D probe with respect to the living body, local volume data is obtained each time. These local volume data are defined by different local coordinate systems, and are generally in a temporally different and partially overlapping relationship. Large three-dimensional data obtained by integrating a plurality of local volume data is referred to as “integrated volume data”. It is defined by the “global coordinate system”.

  The relationship between the global coordinate system described above and the local coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 indicates a space (integrated volume data space) defined by the global coordinate system, and reference numeral 102 indicates a space (local volume data space) defined by the local coordinate system. Reference numeral 104 represents a two-dimensional scanning plane constituted by one-dimensional scanning of the ultrasonic beam.

The global coordinate system is an absolute coordinate system. In FIG. 1, the global coordinate system is an orthogonal coordinate system defined by an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other. The coordinates of the point of interest in the space are represented by (X _i , Y _j , Z _k ), and the luminance value (voxel value) of the point of interest is represented by D (X _i , Y _j , Z _k ). However, 1 ≦ i, j, k ≦ N. Here, N represents the length of one side of the global coordinate system. On the other hand, the local coordinate system is a relative coordinate system that moves relative to the absolute coordinate system. In FIG. 1, the local coordinate system is an orthogonal coordinate system defined by the x axis, the y axis, and the z axis. . The local coordinate system can also be regarded as a polar coordinate system as follows.

  When the point O where the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis intersect is the origin of the local coordinate system and at the same time the origin of the polar coordinates defined by r, θ, and φ, the point of interest in the local volume data (target voxel) ) Is a point on a certain scanning plane 104, and the scanning plane 104 is a plane obtained by rotating the xy plane by an angle φ around the x axis. The point of interest is a point separated from the origin O by a distance r in an azimuth deflected by an angle θ from the y ′ axis that is the central axis on the scanning plane 104. That is, the coordinates of the target point are expressed as (r, θ, φ), and the luminance is expressed as D (r, θ, φ).

In this embodiment, the relationship between the global coordinate system and the local coordinate system is specified as an attribute of the origin O of the local coordinate system with respect to the global coordinate system. That is, the origin O is defined as O (X ₁ , Y ₁ , Z ₁ , Ω ₁ , Φ ₁ , Ψ ₁ ) in the global coordinate system. Here, X ₁ , Y ₁ , Z _{1 in the first} half represent the coordinate values of the origin O, and Ω ₁ , Φ ₁ , Ψ _{1 in} the second half represent rotations about the X, Y, and Z axes about the local coordinate system It represents an angle. Various types of information representing the relationship between the two coordinate systems can be considered. Incidentally, the beam data corresponds to one ultrasonic beam (received beam), and is constituted by a plurality of echo data (sequence of voxel values) arranged in the depth direction from the origin O. The frame data corresponding to the scanning plane is composed of a plurality of beam data, and the local volume data is composed of a plurality of frame data.

  The integrated volume data is constructed by integrating a plurality of local volume data. Specifically, the value of each coordinate point constituting the global coordinate system is generated based on one or a plurality of local volume data. Several methods are conceivable as a method of reflecting a plurality of local volume data in the global coordinate system. The first method is a method of sequentially selecting each coordinate point in the global coordinate system and sequentially generating data to be mapped to the selected coordinate point from one or a plurality of local volume data. The second method is a method of sequentially selecting each data constituting each local volume data and sequentially mapping the selected data to the global coordinate system. In either case, the relationship between each local coordinate system and the global coordinate system (coordinate system relationship information) is used when constructing the global volume data. When determining the data to be given to each coordinate point on the global coordinate system, preferably, a three-dimensional interpolation process is applied. As an alternative, for example, a process for selecting a neighboring coordinate value is given. The coordinate system relation information can be configured as a data string or a function expression for coordinate conversion.

  Hereinafter, the first method will be described in detail with reference to the process chart shown in FIG. In the following example, one interpolation data is generated based on a reference data set selected from one volume data. Of course, one interpolation data is generated based on a reference data set existing across a plurality of volume data. Interpolated data may be generated. Further, multiple interpolation data may be generated by further applying interpolation processing to a plurality of interpolation data.

  In S101, any one coordinate point (point of interest) is designated in the global coordinate system. The order in which the coordinate points are specified is determined in advance. In S102, the corresponding point (polar coordinate point in this embodiment) corresponding to the coordinate point specified in S101 is calculated in the local coordinate system that is the object. Next, in S103, it is determined whether or not the corresponding point belongs to the target local volume data (that is, within the effective range). If the determination result in S103 is NO, the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, if the determination result in S103 is YES, eight data (eight reference data) on eight coordinate points (eight reference points) existing in the vicinity of the corresponding point are specified in S104. The Here, the interpolation processing may be omitted if the corresponding point matches any coordinate point on the local coordinate system. Alternatively, the data of the nearest coordinate point can be used as the interpolation data of the corresponding point as it is. In S108, the weight parameters α, β, γ are specified for the corresponding points. This will be described later. In S106, the value of the corresponding point is calculated based on the reference data set composed of the eight reference data while using the weight parameters α, β, γ. This is a known trilinear method, and the specific contents of the method will be described later.

  In S107, it is determined whether data is already stored at the coordinate point specified in S101 on the global coordinate system. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to S109. If the determination result in S107 is YES, the arbitration process is executed in S108. For example, a process of replacing the already stored data with the new data calculated in S106 is executed. The process of S107 may be omitted and overwriting may be always performed. In the arbitration process, if simple addition averaging, weighted addition averaging, or the like is performed, an interpolation value considering a plurality of interpolation data can be obtained. In S109, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been completed for all coordinate points in the global coordinate system. If there is a coordinate point for which processing has not been completed, each step after S101 is executed again.

  In the present embodiment, the arbitration process is executed in S108, that is, when a plurality of pieces of interpolation data are given in competition to the same coordinate point in the global coordinate system, they are actually stored based on the interpolation data. Data has been determined. In the arbitration process, if interpolation data generated from local volume data acquired later on the time axis is preferentially selected, the latest information can be reflected in the integrated volume data. On the other hand, if an average value is obtained from these interpolation data, data in which a plurality of interpolation data is taken into account can be generated, and there is an advantage that the S / N ratio can be improved. In that case, if weighted average processing of a plurality of interpolation data is applied in accordance with the local data acquisition order, there is an advantage that it is possible to give consideration to a larger weight given to past data while giving priority to the latest data.

A specific determination method in S103 will be described. During the eta-th local volume data acquisition, the origin coordinates O _eta of the local coordinate system (X, Y, Z) and the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis is identified. Here, η is defined by 1 ≦ η ≦ η _MAX , and η _MAX is a maximum value limited by the storage capacity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the volume data processing apparatus. The local coordinate system is a motion coordinate system generally defined with reference to a 3D probe, and the origin coordinate is, for example, a transmission / reception origin. Relation information defining the global coordinate system and the local coordinate system can be easily obtained by detecting the position (and orientation) of the 3D probe. In that case, methods such as three-dimensional magnetic measurement and three-dimensional optical measurement may be used. Each coordinate point in the global coordinate system is converted into a corresponding point on the local coordinate system by the following equation (1). However, (T) corresponds to R ^-1 described later.

The polar coordinates of the corresponding points obtained by this conversion are represented by (r _i , θ _j , φ _k ). Here, subscripts i, j, and k are given to embody r, θ, and φ. At this time, if 0 <r _i ≦ r _MAX and −θ _MAX ≦ θ _j ≦ θ _MAX and −φ _MAX ≦ φ _k ≦ φ _MAX are satisfied, the corresponding point exists in the local volume data, that is, in the effective range. It can be judged. Here, the range of θ indicates the beam scanning range on the scanning plane, and the range of φ indicates the swing angle range of the scanning plane. However, since the shape and range of the volume data vary depending on the applied electronic scanning method or mechanical scanning method, the definition of the coordinate system can also change.

  Specifically, the eight reference points in S106 are specified as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the four reference points immediately before the corresponding point are specified with reference to the corresponding point obtained by the conversion by the above equation (1). In FIG. 3, they are represented by MRN1-MRN4. Similarly, four reference points immediately after the corresponding point are specified. In FIG. 3, they are represented by MRN5-MRN8. In S106 described above, on the assumption of the relationship shown in FIG. 3, the ratio α as the weight parameter is specified according to the following equation (2), and similarly the ratio β as the weight parameter is specified according to the following equation (3). Further, the ratio γ, which is a weight parameter, is specified according to the following equation (4).

  The values of the points M1, M2, and MM1 are obtained from the following equations (5) to (7) using the weighting parameters α and β, and the values of the points M3, M4, and MM2 are also calculated. Using the weighting parameters α and β, the following equations (8) to (10) are obtained. Finally, an interpolation value (interpolation data) D corresponding to the corresponding point is calculated from the following equation (11).

  Incidentally, the relationship between x, y, z and r, θ, φ is expressed by the following equation (12).

Next, the relationship between X, Y, Z and x, y, z is expressed by the following equations (13)-(16), and R ^-1 in equation (16) is (T) in the above equation (1). (16) and (1) are the same.

  In order to obtain r, θ, and φ from x, y, and z, the following equations (17) to (19) may be used.

  According to the method of the present embodiment described above, a plurality of local volume data acquired by changing the position of the 3D probe is obtained even if one local volume data that can be acquired by one scan using the 3D probe is small. By integrating, large integrated volume data can be constructed, and a three-dimensional image can be generated based on the integrated volume data. Therefore, according to this method, it is possible to represent a relatively large tissue such as a fetus, placenta, and breast as a three-dimensional image without using a large mechanism. Coordinate data representing the position and orientation of the 3D probe in the absolute space (in the global coordinate system) is stored on the memory as information associated with the local volume data as relation information. The integration processing of a plurality of volume data can be realized by software processing, which is mounted on a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or mounted on a computer.

  FIG. 4 shows the above-described first method as a conceptual diagram. A plurality of local volume data 200, 204, 208 are acquired in time series order. By applying individual interpolation processing to the first local volume data, temporary integrated volume data is generated as indicated by reference numeral 202. However, in this stage, integration processing has not yet been performed in a strict sense. Next, when the local volume data 204 is acquired, as indicated by reference numeral 206, an interpolation process is individually applied to the data, and a necessary mediation process is performed to update the integrated volume. Data is composed. Based on this, a three-dimensional image is immediately formed, and the display content is updated. When the next local volume data 208 is acquired, interpolation processing is individually applied to the local volume data 208, and necessary mediation processing is performed to configure updated integrated volume data. Based on this, a three-dimensional image is formed, and the display content is updated. That is, integration processing and image formation are performed simultaneously with the acquisition of local volume data.

  FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of the second method described above. When the acquisition of the plurality of local volume data 200, 204, 206 is completed, an interpolation process is applied as indicated by reference numeral 212. At this time, if necessary, overlapping portions are converted into a plurality of local volume data. Interpolation data is generated using a reference data set that straddles. In this case, the interpolation process also serves as an arbitration process. Of course, arbitration processing may be applied as necessary after performing interpolation processing individually. A three-dimensional image is formed based on the integrated volume data 214 generated by the interpolation process 212.

  FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing the processing described above. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  A 3D probe 16 as a portable transducer is brought into contact with the body surface 12 of the subject 10. A tissue 14 to be diagnosed exists in the subject 10. This tissue 14 is, for example, a fetus or placenta in the late stage of pregnancy. Other examples of such tissues include amniotic fluid, liver and breast.

  The 3D probe 16 has a 2D array transducer in this embodiment. The 2D array transducer is constituted by a plurality of vibration elements arranged two-dimensionally. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the 2D array transducer, and the ultrasonic beam is two-dimensionally scanned. As an ultrasonic beam electronic scanning method, electronic sector scanning, electronic linear scanning, and the like are known. The 3D probe 16 may be provided with a scanning mechanism that mechanically scans the 1D array transducer, thereby forming a three-dimensional data capturing space. When performing three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosis of the abdomen, it is desirable to use a 3D probe to which a convex scanning method is applied.

  The 3D probe 16 is brought into contact with an arbitrary position on the body surface 12 by the user, and the contact posture thereof can be arbitrarily set. In FIG. 6, the state after the probe 16 is moved is indicated by reference numerals 16A and 16B. If three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosis is performed in order at a plurality of positions, a plurality of local volume data 18, 18A, 18B can be acquired in order as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, each local volume data 18, 18A, 18B is illustrated as a two-dimensional area, but each local volume data 18, 18A, 18B corresponds to a three-dimensional space. These local volume data 18, 18A, 18B have a partially overlapping relationship with each other, and are also different in time. As shown in the drawing, the contact position of the 3D probe 16 is determined so that the entire target tissue 14 is covered by the three local volume data 18, 18A, 18B.

  The transmission / reception unit 28 functions as a transmission beamformer and a reception beamformer. At the time of transmission, a plurality of transmission signals are supplied from the transmission / reception unit 28 to the 2D array transducer. As a result, a transmission beam is formed. The reflected wave from the living body is received by the 2D array transducer, whereby a plurality of received signals are output to the transmitting / receiving unit 28. The transmission / reception unit 28 executes phasing addition processing on a plurality of reception signals, and thereby generates beam data as reception signals after phasing addition. The beam data corresponds to the received beam. A plurality of local volume data may be acquired while maintaining the state in which the 3D probe 16 is in contact with the body surface 12, that is, without moving the 3D probe.

  In this embodiment, the positioning system 20 includes a magnetic field generator 22, a magnetic sensor unit 24, and a coordinate data calculation unit 26. The magnetic field generator 22 generates a three-dimensional magnetic field, and the magnetic sensor unit 24 detects the three-dimensional magnetic field and outputs the detected information to the coordinate data calculation unit 26. The coordinate data calculation unit 26 generates three-dimensional coordinate data of the 3D probe 16 based on information from the magnetic sensor unit. The three-dimensional coordinate data represents a coordinate value on each coordinate axis and a rotation angle around each axis for the 3D probe 16. The coordinate data generated in this way may be used as it is as inter-coordinate relationship information, or the coordinate data about the origin of the 3D probe 16 is reconstructed based on the coordinate data, and the coordinate data formed at that time is reconstructed. May be used as coordinate relationship information. In any case, the generated coordinate data is output to the 3D memory 32. There are various types of positioning methods (for example, optical sensors).

  On the other hand, the beam data processing unit 30 performs signal processing on each beam data output from the transmission / reception unit 28. The signal processing includes detection processing, logarithmic conversion processing, and the like. The beam data output from the beam data processing unit 30 is stored in the 3D memory 32.

  The 3D memory 32 has a storage capacity for storing a plurality of local volume data. In the 3D memory 32, the echo data constituting each local volume data is specified according to the local coordinate system. Coordinate conversion for each echo data is executed during the interpolation process. Of course, a necessary coordinate conversion process may be performed in the data writing stage of the 3D memory 32. In the present embodiment, the inter-coordinate relationship information when the local volume data is obtained is stored in association with each other.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the interpolation processing unit 36 is a module that individually performs interpolation processing for each local volume data based on the corresponding coordinate relationship information. The arbitration processing unit 38 has already written interpolation data at a specific address on the 3D integrated memory 40, and when the interpolation data based on the currently acquired local volume data is given to the address, a race condition occurs. A process of mediating it is executed. As described above, the arbitration process includes a simple addition average process, a weighted addition average process, a neighborhood value selection process, and the like.

  The 3D integrated memory 40 is a memory that stores integrated volume data defined by the global coordinate system. In this embodiment, every time each local volume data is acquired, the interpolation process and the arbitration process are executed, and the contents of the 3D integrated memory 40 are updated.

  The 3D image forming unit 42 is a module that constructs a 3D image based on the integrated volume data stored in the 3D integrated memory 40. As a three-dimensional image construction method, a volume rendering method, a surface rendering method, and the like are known. The image data of the three-dimensional image thus formed is sent to the display unit 44. A three-dimensional image is displayed on the display unit 44.

  Note that the volume of the target tissue may be calculated based on the integrated volume data stored in the 3D integrated memory 40. In FIG. 6, the peripheral configuration such as the control unit and the operation panel is not shown.

  According to the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, there is an advantage that a three-dimensional image of a large tissue that could not be constructed until now can be displayed. Moreover, when constructing the integrated volume data, the user does not need to strictly adjust the contact position and contact posture of the 3D probe, and three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnosis is performed multiple times so that the entire target tissue is roughly covered. The user's burden is greatly eased. Since it is not necessary to move the 3D probe 16 when acquiring each local volume data, it is possible to maintain the same good operability as before. Further, there is an advantage that a desired three-dimensional image can be quickly constructed by promptly performing a three-dimensional diagnosis on a lacking portion while observing the three-dimensional image displayed on the display unit 44. In the above-described embodiment, the 3D probe that abuts on the body surface is used. However, the same technique as described above can be applied to the 3D probe that is inserted into the body cavity.

It is a figure which shows the relationship between a global coordinate system and a local coordinate system. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an integration process. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional interpolation process. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of an integration process. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of an integration process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10 subjects, 12 body surfaces, 16 3D probe, 18 local volume data, 20 positioning system, 32 3D memory, 34 integration processing unit, 36 interpolation processing unit, 38 arbitration processing unit, 40 3D integration memory, 42 3D image forming unit , 100 integrated volume data space, 102 local volume data space, 104 scan plane.

Claims (11)

A means for generating integrated volume data based on a plurality of local volume data, wherein the relationship information represents a relationship between a local coordinate system defining each local volume data and a global coordinate system defining the integrated volume data An integration unit for generating the integrated volume data by executing a process for integrating the plurality of local volume data,
Image forming means for forming a three-dimensional image based on the integrated volume data;
An ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
A probe for sequentially acquiring the plurality of local volume data;
Means for acquiring coordinate information about the probe when acquiring each local volume data;
Including
The plurality of local volume data are in a partially overlapping relationship with each other, and in a temporally different relationship with each other,
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the relation information is the coordinate information or is generated based on the coordinate information. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The integration unit includes an interpolation processing unit that generates an interpolation data group to be mapped to the global coordinate system by an interpolation process for the plurality of local volume data.
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the integrated volume data is constituted by the interpolation data group. The apparatus of claim 3.
The integration unit further includes an arbitration processing unit that executes an arbitration process when a plurality of interpolation data is given to the same address in the global coordinate system and a race condition occurs. Processing equipment. The apparatus of claim 4.
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the arbitration processing unit applies an average process to the plurality of interpolation data in the competitive state. The apparatus of claim 4.
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the arbitration processing unit applies a weighted average process to the plurality of interpolation data in the competing state according to an acquisition order of the plurality of local volume data. The apparatus of claim 4.
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the arbitration processing unit selects the latest interpolation data generated from the latest local volume data from the plurality of interpolation data in the competitive state. The apparatus of claim 3.
The interpolation processing unit individually applies interpolation processing to each local volume data in the order of obtaining the plurality of local volume data, and thereby each second and subsequent local volume data is acquired, The integrated volume data is updated,
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the image forming unit updates the three-dimensional image in accordance with the update of the integrated volume data. The apparatus of claim 3.
The interpolation processing unit executes the interpolation processing after the acquisition of the plurality of local volume data is completed,
The ultrasonic volume data, wherein the interpolation processing unit has a function of generating interpolation data to be given to a target coordinate in the global coordinate system based on a reference data set existing across the plurality of local volume data Processing equipment. The apparatus of claim 1.
The integrated volume data has a size including a large organization having a size that cannot fit within one local volume data,
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the three-dimensional image is an image representing the large tissue. The apparatus of claim 10.
The ultrasonic volume data processing apparatus, wherein the large tissue is a fetus or a placenta.

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