JP2010274049A - Ultrasonic image diagnostic device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic image diagnostic device which is switched a mode by drawing a pattern such as a specified character, graphic, or the like in a user interface constituted of a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic image diagnostic device includes: the touch panel; an image generation part 001 for generating an ultrasonic image by a plurality of kinds of scanning modes; a display control part 007 for preliminarily storing a plurality of kinds of display modes, and for displaying the ultrasonic image by the specified display mode and acquiring the pattern; a pattern storage part 009 for storing the patterns corresponding to the scanning modes or the display modes; and a mode acquiring part 008 for acquiring the scanning mode or the display mode corresponding to the input pattern. The mode acquiring part 008 is constituted to switch the image generation part 001 to the acquired scanning mode, and to switch the display control part 007 to the acquired display mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject and acquires a tomographic image based on the reflected waves, and a control method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging modes and a control method thereof.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device is connected to an ultrasonic probe equipped with an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject, is reflected by each tissue in the subject, and returns. Received ultrasonic waves (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic echoes”), and generates a tomographic image of the subject based on the received ultrasonic waves. This ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has been conventionally used for diagnosis of diseases inside a living body. Such an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus usually has a mode for imaging various subjects (hereinafter referred to as “scan mode”), and when the mode is switched to a certain mode, an ultrasound suitable for that mode is obtained. A sound wave transmission / reception method and a signal processing method are adopted, and an image corresponding to the mode is displayed. Therefore, some main imaging modes of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described below.

  (B mode) In the B mode, ultrasonic waves are sequentially transmitted / received along a plurality of scanning lines in one tomographic plane in the subject, and as a result, based on the received signals obtained, This is a mode for displaying an image (hereinafter referred to as “B-mode image”) representing the reflected ultrasonic intensity distribution in the tomographic plane. The B-mode image is a moving image that displays the acquired image on the spot. In addition, for example, when the mode is switched to another mode, the generation of the new B mode image is stopped instead of deleting the displayed B mode image from the display screen, and the immediately preceding B mode image is displayed on the display screen. The B-mode image can be displayed as a still image (referred to as a freeze image).

  (Color Doppler mode) Color Doppler mode uses the Doppler phenomenon that, when ultrasound is reflected by the blood flow in the subject, the ultrasound echo undergoes a frequency shift according to the direction and velocity of the blood flow, Extracts the frequency-shifted component of the ultrasonic echo to determine the direction and velocity of the blood flow at each point. For example, the blood flow in the direction approaching the ultrasonic probe responsible for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is red and away. In this mode, a blood flow in a direction is displayed in blue, and a velocity distribution image (hereinafter referred to as a “color Doppler image”) representing the blood flow velocity using the luminance of the direction is displayed. Also in this color Doppler image, a still image (freeze image) at a certain point can be displayed.

  (M mode) The ultrasonic pulse is repeatedly transmitted and received in a certain ultrasonic transmission / reception direction in the living body, and the intensity distribution of one-dimensional ultrasonic echo on one scanning line along the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction. This is a mode for displaying an M-mode image representing the temporal change of the. In the M mode, a moving image is normally displayed in which the intensity distribution of the ultrasonic echo on the single scanning line is scrolled in the time axis direction.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has a plurality of display modes. Specifically, there are a mode for displaying one B-mode image, a mode for displaying two B-modes side by side, and the like. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has a plurality of display methods such as a display in which the B-mode image indicating the acquisition position of the color Doppler and the color Doppler image are displayed in different ways and a display in which the speed range is different in the color Doppler mode. .

  Conventionally, each scan mode, display mode, and display method are changed by selecting a panel switch (ordinary button-type switch) of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus or a switch disposed on the touch panel. ing. Furthermore, in order to make the screen easy to see, a technique (for example, see Patent Document 1) that performs switching display of screens with different display ratios in the scan mode has been proposed.

JP 2006-325709 A

  However, in recent years, lightweight and compact portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses have been developed. Due to the nature of such a small ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, many panel switches cannot be arranged. Therefore, it can also be used as a tablet mode using the touch panel on the monitor as an input area. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a mode change switch on the monitor screen. However, even in a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, a larger image size is required to perform diagnostic imaging more accurately. When a mode switching switch is arranged on the screen, the switch arrangement area It will be necessary to reduce the image size by as much. Further, an operator such as a doctor or a laboratory technician (hereinafter simply referred to as “operator”) needs to search for a switch when switching modes, and there is a possibility that it takes time to switch modes. In this regard, the switching described in Patent Document 1 requires that the cursor be displayed on the B-mode image, and the cursor display button needs to be pressed for the display. It is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of switching modes by drawing a pattern such as a specific character or graphic on a user interface configured with a touch panel. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 generates an ultrasound image in a user interface having a display unit and an input unit configured by a touch panel, and a plurality of types of scan modes. A plurality of types of display modes for displaying the ultrasonic image and the image generation means, and the ultrasonic image is displayed on the touch panel in the specific display mode of the plurality; and Display control means for acquiring, as an input pattern, designation of one specific area or a combination of a plurality of specific areas on the touch panel on which the ultrasonic image is displayed, the scan mode operating previously, and the Corresponding to the input pattern acquired in the display mode, either the scan mode or the display mode to be switched next is selected. Alternatively, based on the pattern storage means storing the combination and the input pattern input using the touch panel, the scan mode to be switched to the next corresponding to the input pattern with reference to the pattern storage means or the Mode acquisition means for acquiring any one or a combination of display modes, wherein the mode acquisition means causes the image generation means to switch the scan mode to the acquired scan mode, and the display control means The display mode is switched to the acquired display mode.

  The method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 8 is an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having a plurality of scan modes for generating an ultrasonic image and a plurality of display modes for displaying the ultrasonic image. An image display step of displaying the ultrasonic image generated in a specific type of the scan mode in a specific type of the display mode, and specifying one specific area on the touch panel A pattern acquisition stage for acquiring an input pattern that is a specified combination of specific areas, and acquisition based on the acquired input pattern when the scan mode and the display mode are operating in advance. Refer to one or a combination of a scan mode and a display mode to be switched next corresponding to the input pattern, and the acquisition is performed. When the scan mode is acquired in the mode acquisition step of acquiring one or a combination of the scan mode and the display mode to be switched next corresponding to the input pattern, and the mode acquisition step, the ultrasonic image The specific display mode for displaying the ultrasonic image when the display mode is acquired in the scan mode switching step for switching the specific scan mode to the acquired scan mode and generating the mode. A display mode switching step for switching to the acquired display mode, and repeating each step from the image display step to the display mode switching step.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 and the control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8 are configured to switch a scan mode or a display mode in response to an input of a pattern using a touch panel. . As a result, there is no need to arrange a mode switching panel switch or a mode switching switch on the touch panel, and the display area of the ultrasonic image can be enlarged. Further, when the mode is switched, the operator only has to input a pattern on the touch panel, so that it is not necessary to search for a button when switching the mode, and quick image diagnosis can be performed.

Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention The figure for demonstrating the combination of the scanning mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment, a display mode, and a pattern. Illustration of an example for explaining the pattern Another example diagram for explaining the pattern Another example diagram for explaining the pattern The figure for demonstrating an example of the input of a pattern The figure for demonstrating the other example of the input of a pattern The figure for demonstrating the other example of the input of a pattern Flowchart diagram of mode conversion in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment Illustration of an example for explaining an operation input and a control command corresponding to the operation input Another example diagram for explaining an operation input and a corresponding control command

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. A control command acquisition unit 013 represented by a dotted line will be described in the third embodiment. In the following description, the B mode, the Doppler mode, the M mode, and the color mode will be described as the scan modes used by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, but there are no particular restrictions on the usable scan modes. Any method may be used as long as an image is generated by ultrasonic waves.

  The image generation unit 001 includes an ultrasonic probe 002, a transmission / reception unit 003, a signal processing unit 004, an image processing unit 005, and a control unit 006. This image generation unit 001 corresponds to the “image generation means” in the present invention.

  The control unit 006 controls the transmission / reception unit 003, the signal processing unit 004, and the image processing unit 005 so as to perform scanning in the scan mode input from the mode acquisition unit 008. Here, the control unit 006 performs control so that scanning is performed in the B mode when the input of the scan mode has not been received from the mode acquisition unit 008 (that is, in the case of initial setting).

  The transmission / reception unit 003 transmits an ultrasonic wave toward the subject via the ultrasonic probe 002, and receives an echo signal based on the ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject. The transmission / reception unit 003 outputs the echo signal to the signal processing unit 004.

  The signal processing unit 004 receives an echo signal input from the transmission / reception unit 003. The signal processing unit 004 performs detection processing on the input echo signal. Further, processing for extracting a luminance value from data subjected to detection processing or processing for extracting Doppler information according to a scan mode (B mode, Doppler mode, M mode, color mode, etc.) designated by the control unit 006 Etc. to create data. The signal processing unit 004 outputs the created data to the image processing unit 005. In the case of the Doppler mode, the signal processing unit 004 generates time series data, performs Fourier transform on the time series data, and generates Doppler spectrum data. In the B mode, the signal processing unit 004 performs logarithmic compression and generates B mode data.

  The image processing unit 005 receives data input from the signal processing unit 004. The image processing unit 005 displays scanning information of each sound ray included in the echo signal by using a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) function for the input data according to the scan mode specified by the control unit 006. Is converted into scanning information of each scanning line. Further, the image processing unit 005 generates image data by performing image processing such as contrast change processing and gain adjustment processing on the data. For example, in the Doppler mode, the image processing unit 005 generates a Doppler image based on the spectrum data. In the case of the B mode, the image processing unit 005 generates a B mode image based on the B mode data. The image processing unit 005 outputs the generated image data to the display control unit 007.

  The user interface 010 is configured with a touch panel. Here, the touch panel refers to a display unit 011 on which an image is displayed, and an input unit that inputs information indicating that the specific part is pressed when the operator presses the specific part of the display unit 011 with a finger or the like. 012. That is, the display unit 011 and the input unit 012 are integrated. Here, in FIG. 1, the display unit 011 and the input unit 012 are displayed separately for convenience of explanation. The pressing by the finger is detected by using a sensor for detecting static electricity generated between the finger and the display unit 011 or a pressure sensor for detecting pressure from the finger. Then, by detecting the pressing of the finger, the pressed position on the display screen of the display unit 011 is output to the display control unit 007. Then, after the operator presses the display unit 011 with a finger and then moves the finger while pressing it, the position corresponding to the locus of moving the finger is continuously input. Here, the input of one point by the operator refers to the case where the input of position information is completed by the operator pressing and releasing the finger immediately after pressing the finger once. In addition, line input by the operator means that the operator starts pressing the finger, and the position information is continuously input by shifting the position of the finger without speaking the finger from the touch panel (display unit 011). This is a case where the input is completed after being performed and an input having a length of a predetermined distance or more is performed. This one point input or line input corresponds to “designation of one specific area or designation of a plurality of specific areas” in the present invention.

  The display control unit 007 has a storage area such as a memory or a hard disk. This display control unit 007 corresponds to “display control means” in the present invention. The display control unit 007 stores coordinates corresponding to the display screen of the display unit 011 in its own storage area. Then, the display control unit 007 receives the input of the pressed position from the input unit 012 and converts the position into coordinates stored by itself, and the pressed position is any position on the display screen of the display unit 011. Detect whether it hits. Further, the display control unit 007 determines that the input is temporarily interrupted when the operator releases the pressed finger from the display unit 011, and inputs when the display unit 011 is pressed again with the finger after determining the interruption. Is determined to have resumed. However, the display control unit 007 stores a time limit in advance, and determines that the input has been completed and the pattern has been determined if the interval from when the input is interrupted until the input is resumed exceeds the time limit. . That is, when the operator wants to input two points, it is only necessary to wait for the time limit to elapse after the point 2 is pressed and the finger is released. In this case, the display control unit 007 displays the two-point pattern. Is determined to have been entered. Further, when it is desired to input two points, if the time limit elapses after the operator inputs one point until the next point is input, the display control unit 007 displays 1 It is determined that the point pattern has been input.

  The display control unit 007 collectively stores the pressed positions from the start of input to the end of input. Then, a set of information on the pressed positions from the start of input until the end of input is output to the mode acquisition unit 008. A set of information on the pressed position from the start of the input to the end of the input corresponds to a “pattern”.

  Further, the display control unit 007 stores the display method in each display mode in its own storage area. For example, the display control unit 007 in the present embodiment displays, as this display mode, a mode for displaying one B-mode image (hereinafter referred to as “single mode”), and a mode for displaying two B-mode images (hereinafter referred to as “mode”). , “Dual mode”), a mode for displaying an M-mode image (hereinafter referred to as “M mode”), a mode for displaying a Doppler image (hereinafter referred to as “Doppler mode”), and a B mode. A mode for displaying a part in color (hereinafter referred to as “color mode”), a mode for displaying a B-mode image and a Doppler image side by side (hereinafter referred to as “Doppler up-down mode”), a B-mode image and A mode in which Doppler images are displayed side by side (hereinafter referred to as “Doppler left and right mode”), and the displayed moving image is designated as Of the mode to be displayed as a still image (hereinafter, referred to as a "freeze mode".), And stores. Further, the display control unit 007 stores that the single mode is used as the first display mode to be used. Here, in the present embodiment, the above-described display mode is used, but this is not particularly limited, and any method may be used as long as it is a method for displaying an ultrasonic image.

  The display control unit 007 receives an input of the ultrasonic image generated from the image generation unit 001. Further, the display control unit 007 receives a display mode input from the mode acquisition unit 008. Then, the display control unit 007 displays the ultrasonic image on the display unit 011 in the input display mode. However, if the display mode is not input from the mode acquisition unit 008, the ultrasonic image input in the single mode is displayed on the display unit 011.

  The pattern storage unit 009 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk. This pattern storage unit 009 corresponds to the “pattern storage unit” in the present invention. The pattern storage unit 009 stores combinations of scan modes and display modes and patterns as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a combination of a scan mode and a display mode and a pattern according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the pattern storage unit 009 stores correspondences between the current scan mode 201, the current display mode 202, the pattern 203, and the switching destination mode 204. Here, the current scan mode 201 indicates a scan mode when an ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit 011 at that time is generated. The current display mode 202 refers to the display mode of the image currently displayed on the display unit 011. The switching destination mode 204 indicates a scanning mode or display mode corresponding to the pattern 203, and the current scanning mode 201 or display mode 202 is switched to the switching destination mode 204 in accordance with the pattern 203 input. The switching destination mode 204 is accompanied by information on whether the mode is the scan mode or the display mode. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, B mode, M mode, and Doppler mode are used as scan modes, and single mode, dual mode, Doppler up / down mode, Doppler left / right mode, and freeze mode are used as display modes. There is no particular limitation, and other scan modes and other display modes may be added. In that case, it is necessary to store patterns corresponding to the added scan mode and display mode.

  Here, in FIG. 2, the pattern 203 is expressed by words, but is actually stored as information such as a point or a line for a predetermined area.

  As described above, in the pattern 203, the input of one point indicates a case where the input of the position information is completed by the operator pressing and releasing the finger immediately after pressing the finger once. Also, line input means that the operator starts pressing the finger, and after the position information is continuously input by shifting the position of the finger without speaking the finger from the touch panel, the input ends. This is a case where an input having a length equal to or longer than a predetermined distance is made. Further, the direction of the scanning line indicates a straight line from the sector-shaped apex of the displayed B-mode image toward the arc. Furthermore, the waveform of two or more times indicates a case where there are two or more local maximum points or local minimum points.

  Here, some examples of information actually stored in the pattern 203 will be described. 3, 4, and 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of patterns. Here, the square 300 in FIG. 3, the square 400 in FIG. 4, and the square 500 in FIG. 5 are all display areas of the display unit 011 displayed in the XY coordinate system.

  For example, the pattern 203 in FIG. 2 has “one point near the left and right ends of the image”. This is because, as actual information, in the pattern storage unit 009, the B mode image is displayed. The coordinate information of the areas near the left and right ends facing the display unit 011 of the B-mode image, that is, the coordinate information of the areas 301 and 302 shown by dotted lines shown in FIG. 3 and one point for each area The condition such as the input of is stored.

  In addition, there is a “line along the scanning line of the image” of the pattern 203 in FIG. 2, which is actually displayed as a B-mode image display in the pattern storage unit 009 as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the coordinate information of the area 401 near the fan-shaped vertex of the B-mode image and the coordinate information of the area 402 near the fan-shaped arc of the B-mode image are stored. The coordinate information of consecutive points is input by moving the finger without releasing the finger, and all the inputs from the straight line connecting the first input position in the area 401 and the last input position in the area 402 are input. The condition that the position coordinates of the selected points are within a predetermined distance, in other words, that all the points are included in the area 403 in FIG. 4 is stored.

  Furthermore, there is “two or more waveforms” of the pattern 203 in FIG. 3, but this is actually stored in the pattern storage unit 009 as shown in FIG. 5 in the coordinates of a predetermined area 501. Information and a condition for inputting continuous points having two or more local maximum points or local minimum points in the area are stored.

  Further, in the present embodiment, points and figures are used as patterns, but other patterns may be used, for example, characters and codes.

  The mode acquisition unit 008 has a storage area such as a memory or a hard disk. This mode acquisition unit 008 corresponds to “mode acquisition means” in the present invention. The mode acquisition unit 008 stores the current display mode output to the display control unit 007 and the current scan mode output to the image generation unit 001 in its own storage area. Here, the mode acquisition unit 008 stores the single mode as the current display mode when the display mode is not yet output to the display control unit 007 (that is, the initial setting state), and the image is not yet displayed. When the scan mode is not output to the generation unit 001 (that is, the B mode is stored as the current scan mode in the initial setting state).

  The mode acquisition unit 008 receives from the display control unit 007 an input of a set of information on pressed positions from the start of input by the operator to the end of input. As described above, a set of information on the pressed position from the start of input by the operator to the end of input corresponds to the “pattern”. The mode acquisition unit 008 refers to the pattern storage unit 009 based on the input position information and the stored current scan mode and current display mode. The mode acquisition unit 008 acquires the switching destination mode 204 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the input pattern 203 in the current scan mode 201 and the current display mode 202. A specific example will be described in the case where a pattern corresponding to each pattern 203 in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 is input. 6, 7, and 8 are diagrams for explaining input in each pattern of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

  First, the case of the pattern 203 in FIG. 3 will be described. The mode acquisition unit 008 receives input of position information of points 601 and 602 shown in FIG. 6 as a pattern. At this time, the mode acquisition unit 008 stores the B mode as the current scan mode and the single mode as the current display mode. The mode acquisition unit 008 extracts the pattern 203 in which the current scan mode 201 in which the input position information is stored in the pattern storage unit 009 is the B mode and the current display mode 202 is the single mode. It is determined which of the patterns 203 is applied. Here, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines whether the points 601 and 602 are included in the region 301 and the region 302 in FIG. When the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that the point 601 and the point 602 are included in the region 301 and the region 302 like the point 303 and the point 304 illustrated in FIG. 3, the dual mode which is the switching destination mode 204 corresponding to the pattern 203 To get.

  Next, the case of the pattern 203 in FIG. 4 will be described. The mode acquisition unit 008 receives input of position information of a straight line 701 that is a continuous point shown in FIG. 7 as a pattern. At this time, the mode acquisition unit 008 stores the B mode as the current scan mode and the single mode as the current display mode. The mode acquisition unit 008 extracts the pattern 203 in which the current scan mode 201 in which the input position information is stored in the pattern storage unit 009 is the B mode and the current display mode 202 is the single mode. It is determined which of the patterns 203 is applied. Here, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines whether the start point 702 of the straight line 701 is included in the area 401 in FIG. 4 or the end point 703 of the straight line 701 is included in the area 402. If the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that the start point 702 is included in the region 401 and the end point 703 is included in the region 402, then the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that all points of the straight line 701 are predetermined from the straight line connecting the start point 702 and the end point 703. Determine if it is within distance. When the distance is within the predetermined distance (that is, a state like the straight line 404 in FIG. 4), the mode acquisition unit 008 selects the M mode that is the switching destination mode 204 corresponding to the “straight line along the scanning line” of the pattern 203. get.

  Next, the case of the pattern 203 in FIG. 5 will be described. The mode acquisition unit 008 receives input of position information of a curve 801 that is a continuous point shown in FIG. 8 as a pattern. At this time, the mode acquisition unit 008 stores the B mode as the current scan mode and the single mode as the current display mode. The mode acquisition unit 008 extracts the pattern 203 in which the current scan mode 201 in which the input position information is stored in the pattern storage unit 009 is the B mode and the current display mode 202 is the single mode. It is determined which of the patterns 203 is applied. Here, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines whether all points of the curve 801 are included in the region 501 (that is, a state like the curve 502 in FIG. 5). When all the points are included in the region 501, the mode acquisition unit 008 detects how many local maximum points and local minimum points are on the curve 801. This detection can be performed by detecting a point where the position of adjacent points changes from upward to downward or from downward to upward. In FIG. 8, since there are two or more local maximum points 802 and local minimum points 803, the mode acquisition unit 008 acquires the Doppler mode that is the switching destination mode 204 corresponding to “two or more waveforms” of the pattern 203.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the above three cases have been described, but this may use a correspondence between other patterns and mode switching. Here are some other examples. For example, when the center of the B mode image displayed in the dual mode is pressed, the mode is switched to the single mode. In addition, when the center of the M mode image displayed in the M mode and the freeze image of the B mode image for indicating the acquisition position of the M mode image is pressed, the mode is switched to the single mode of the B mode. In addition, when a square pattern is input inside a B-mode image displayed in the B-mode single mode, the color mode is switched. Also, two points arranged in the left and right direction toward the display unit 011 are pressed between the Doppler image displayed in the Doppler up-down mode of the Doppler mode and the B-mode image for indicating the acquisition position of the Doppler image. Corresponding to switching to Doppler left and right mode. Further, two points arranged in the vertical direction between the Doppler image displayed in the Doppler left and right mode of the Doppler mode and the B mode image for indicating the acquisition position of the Doppler image are pressed down. Corresponding to switching to Doppler up and down mode. In any mode, if one point is entered at one of the four corners of the screen, the mode switches to freeze mode. In this way, there are various correspondences between pattern and mode switching.

  The mode acquisition unit 008 determines whether the acquired switching destination mode is the scan mode or the display mode from the information attached to the acquired switching destination mode. For example, when the dual mode is acquired as the switching destination mode, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that the acquired switching destination mode is the display mode. When the M mode or the Doppler mode is acquired as the switching destination mode, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that the acquired conversion mode is the scan mode. Then, when the acquired switching destination mode is the display mode, the mode acquisition unit 008 outputs information about the switching destination mode to the display control unit 007. Further, when the acquired switching destination mode is the scan mode, the mode acquisition unit 008 outputs information on the switching destination mode to the control unit 006 of the image generation unit 001.

  Further, when the input pattern does not match any of the patterns stored in the pattern storage unit 009, the mode acquisition unit 008 determines that there is an input error, does not acquire the mode, and does not acquire the mode. The information of the switching destination mode is not output to any of the control unit 006.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the mode conversion operation in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of mode conversion in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Step S001: The image generation unit 001 generates an image in the current scan mode (B mode in the initial setting).

  Step S002: The display control unit 007 causes the display unit 011 to display an image in the current display mode (initial mode is a single mode).

  Step S003: The control unit 006 determines whether image generation is finished. This determination is made based on a predetermined inspection plan. When the image generation is finished (Yes), the generation of the ultrasonic image is finished. If the image generation has not ended (No), the process proceeds to step S004.

  Step S004: The display control unit 007 determines whether or not there is an input from the operator using the user interface 010 that is a touch panel. If there is an input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S005. If there is no input (No), the process returns to step S001.

  Step S005: The mode acquisition unit 008 refers to the pattern storage unit 009 based on the position information of the place pressed by the operator input from the display control unit 007, and determines whether there is a matching pattern. If there is a matching pattern (Yes), the process proceeds to step S006. If it does not match the pattern (No), the process returns to step S001.

  Step S006: The mode acquisition unit 008 acquires a switching destination mode corresponding to the input pattern.

  Step S007: The mode acquisition unit 008 determines whether the acquired switching destination mode is the display mode or the scan mode. In the display mode (Yes), the process proceeds to step S008. In the case of the scan mode (No), the process proceeds to step S009.

  Step S008: The mode acquisition unit 008 outputs the acquired switching destination mode to the display control unit 007, and switches the current display mode to the switching destination mode. Further, the process returns to step S001.

  Step S009: The mode acquisition unit 008 outputs the acquired switching destination mode to the control unit 006, and switches the current scan mode to the switching destination mode. Further, the process returns to step S001.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment receives an input of a pattern drawn on the touch panel, switches a mode corresponding to the pattern, and uses the switched mode to perform supervision. This is a configuration for generating and displaying a sound wave image. Thus, the operator does not need a region for arranging the mode switching button, so that it is not necessary to arrange the panel switch, and the ultrasonic image can be displayed in a larger size.

  In addition, the operator does not need to search for a button for mode switching when switching modes, and diagnosis with an ultrasonic image can be performed more efficiently.

[Second Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has a pattern storage mode for performing a corresponding input between a specific pattern and a specific switching destination mode and designating an input area of the specific pattern using a touch panel. This is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to this embodiment in the pattern storage mode will be mainly described below. A block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to this embodiment is also shown in FIG. In the following description, functional units having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assumed to have the same functions unless otherwise specified.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has two operation modes: an ultrasonic image generation mode and a pattern registration mode. In the ultrasonic image generation mode, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed. Therefore, the pattern registration mode will be described below. Hereinafter, the scan mode or the display mode is simply referred to as “mode”.

  First, the operator inputs a pattern input corresponding to switching from which type of mode to which type of mode. As will be described later, this input is performed by the operator selecting a mode before switching and a mode after switching from among a plurality of modes displayed on the display unit 011 so as to be selectable.

  In this pattern input, the operator designates an area for receiving the pattern input. Specifically, the operator designates an area by drawing a closed shape such as a circle or square on the touch panel. Then, the operator inputs a pattern using the touch panel that is the user interface 010.

  The display control unit 007 stores the mode type. The display control unit 007 causes the display unit 011 to display all the stored modes as a mode before switching and a mode after switching (switching destination mode 204 in FIG. 2). The display control unit 007 receives an input of the mode before switching and the mode after switching from the input unit 012.

  Next, the display control unit 007 receives designation of an area for receiving pattern input from the user interface 010. Specifically, the display control unit 007 stores the inside of the closed shape described above as an area for receiving an input.

  Next, the display control unit 007 stores the pattern drawn in the designated area. This pattern is stored as a point, line, wave, or the like. The determination of the point, line, and wave is performed in the same manner as the determination of the point, line, and wave described in the first embodiment.

  Then, the display control unit 007 causes the pattern storage unit 009 to store the designated patterns of the input mode before switching and the mode after switching. As a storage method, as in the table described in FIG. 2, the pattern and the switching destination mode are stored in association with the input mode before switching.

  Therefore, as an example, an input for switching the B mode from the single mode to the dual mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operator selects the B mode and the single mode as the modes before switching from among the various displayed modes. Further, the operator selects the dual mode as the mode after switching from among the various displayed modes.

  The operator designates an input area called area 301 shown in FIG. The display control unit 007 displays the region 301 that is the designated input region at the designated position on the display unit 011.

  If necessary, the operator changes the area such as enlarging, reducing, or changing the position of the designated area 301. The display control unit 007 redisplays the changed area 301 on the display unit 011. The operator inputs a command for determining the area. The display control unit 007 changes the display of the designated area 301 so that it can be seen that the area designation is completed (for example, the color is changed).

  Next, the operator designates an input area called area 302 shown in FIG. The display control unit 007 displays the region 302 that is the designated input region at the designated position on the display unit 011.

  If necessary, the operator changes the area such as enlarging, reducing, or changing the designated area 302. The display control unit 007 redisplays the changed area 302 on the display unit 011. The operator inputs a command for determining the area. The display control unit 007 changes the display of the designated area 302 so that it can be seen that the area designation has been completed (for example, the color is changed).

  The operator presses each of the designated area 301 and area 302 with a finger. The display control unit 007 acquires a pattern of having a point in each of the area 301 and the area 302 based on the input position information. The display control unit 007 stores position information of the region 301 and the region 302, a pattern of one point in each region, information of B mode and single mode as a mode before switching, and dual mode as a switching destination mode. Remember me.

  Here, the operation interval for inputting a point in each area is not specified, but the operation interval is assumed to be different for each operator. Therefore, the operation interval is input when inputting a pattern. It may be. Further, it may be configured so that operation interval registration can be executed separately from pattern registration. This operation interval is used as the time limit for determining the end of the input described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a desired pattern can be registered in an area desired by the operator for mode switching. As a result, the operator can easily memorize and remember the pattern for switching modes, and the operability can be improved. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can contribute to an improvement in the efficiency of diagnostic imaging.

[Third Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which various control commands can be input by adding an operation to an ultrasonic image displayed on the touch panel, which is added to the first or second embodiment. is there. Therefore, the operation in inputting a control command will be mainly described below. A block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to this embodiment is also shown in FIG. In the following description, functional units having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assumed to have the same functions unless otherwise specified.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that when an instruction based on a specific operation is input using a touch panel during image display, the instruction is converted into a control command corresponding to the pattern. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to this embodiment further includes a control command acquisition unit 013 represented by a dotted line in addition to the first and second embodiments.

  The operator displays an ultrasound image displayed on the touch panel in a state where an ultrasound image (B mode image, Doppler image, M mode image, color mode image, or the like) is displayed on the display unit 011 which is a touch panel. A specific operation (pressing a specific point, dragging a specific line, etc.) predetermined in advance is input. This input corresponds to “a specific operation for the ultrasonic image displayed on the user interface” in the present invention.

  Here, an input example of a specific operation will be described. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation input and a control command corresponding thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the Doppler image is displayed in the Doppler up / down mode, the operator places a finger on the zero shift line 101 and moves the finger as indicated by a dot / arrow 102. Move (drag) to the location of the line 103.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the Doppler image is displayed in the Doppler left-right mode, the operator presses a point on the freeze image of the B-mode image with a finger like a point 111. To do.

  The pattern storage unit 009 stores a control command corresponding to a specific operation in advance. For example, for the operation of pressing a point on the freeze image of the B-mode image displayed in the Doppler mode as shown in FIG. 11, the control of executing the update of the freeze image of the B-mode image is stored. Further, for the operation of dragging the zero shift line on the Doppler image as shown in FIG. 12, the control of updating the zero shift value of the position information of the movement destination of the zero shift line is stored.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the two cases described above have been described, but this can also store other operations for other controls. As another example, for example, when the Doppler image is frozen in the Doppler mode, if you press the Doppler image with your finger and drag it to the right, the time of the dragged portion of the Doppler image in the cine memory has elapsed. When the image is displayed and dragged to the left, there is a control that the previous image is displayed for the dragged portion of the Doppler image in the cine memory. Further, in the color mode, there is a control for enlarging or reducing the region of interest in that direction by dropping any of the four corner points of the region of interest in the color in either the upper, lower, left or right direction. In addition, there is a control for moving the region of interest in that direction by dragging one of the sides of the region of interest in the color mode. In addition, there is a control of changing the acquisition position of the Doppler signal by moving a point on the freeze image of the B-mode image indicating the position where the Doppler image is acquired in the Doppler mode.

  The display control unit 007 acquires information on the input operation. For example, in the case of pressing a specific point as shown in FIG. 11, the position information and the input information of the point are shown, and in the case of dragging a specific line as shown in FIG. Is information on the designated line and information on the position of the movement destination. Then, the display control unit 007 outputs the acquired operation information to the control command acquisition unit 013.

  The control command acquisition unit 013 receives input of operation information from the display control unit 007. The control command acquisition unit 013 refers to the pattern storage unit 009 based on the input operation information, and acquires a control command corresponding to the input operation information.

  The control command acquisition unit 013 outputs the acquired control command to the control unit 006 of the image generation unit 001.

  The control unit 006 receives a control command input from the control command acquisition unit 013. The control unit 006 controls the transmission / reception unit 003, the signal processing unit 004, and the image processing unit 005 on the basis of the input control command to cause image generation. For example, when the control unit 006 receives the control to update the freeze image of the B-mode image as shown in FIG. 11 from the control command acquisition unit 013, the control unit 006 sends the control unit 006 to the transmission / reception unit 003, the signal processing unit 004, and the image processing unit 005. The current B-mode image is generated, and the generated freeze image of the current B-mode image is output to the display control unit 007. The display control unit 007 erases the freeze image of the B-mode image currently displayed on the display unit 011 based on the freeze image of the input B-mode image, and displays the newly input freeze image of the B-mode image. Display. Thereby, the freeze image of the B-mode image is updated. When an operation as shown in FIG. 10 is input, the control unit 006 changes the zero shift position to the line 103 to create a Doppler image, outputs the image to the display control unit 007, and the display control unit 007 The Doppler image in which the zero shift position is changed to the line 103 is displayed on the display unit 011.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a control command can be input by inputting a specific operation on an image displayed on the touch panel. As a result, there is no need to arrange buttons for inputting control commands, and it is possible to secure a larger display area of the ultrasonic image, and the operator inputs control commands sensuously without searching for buttons. It is possible to improve the efficiency of image diagnosis.

001 Image generation unit 002 Ultrasonic probe 003 Transmission / reception unit 004 Signal processing unit 005 Image processing unit 006 Control unit 007 Display control unit 008 Mode acquisition unit 009 Pattern storage unit 010 User interface (touch panel)
011 Display unit 012 Input unit 013 Control command acquisition unit

Claims (8)

A user interface having display means and input means constituted by a touch panel;
Image generating means for generating an ultrasound image in a plurality of types of scan modes;
A plurality of types of display modes for displaying the ultrasonic image are stored in advance, the ultrasonic image is displayed on the touch panel in the specific display mode of the plurality, and the ultrasonic image is Display control means for acquiring, as an input pattern, a designation of one specific area or a combination of designations of a plurality of specific areas on the displayed touch panel;
Pattern storage means for storing one or a combination of a scan mode and a display mode to be switched next correspondingly to the input pattern acquired in the scan mode and the display mode that are operating first When,
A mode for acquiring either one of the scan mode to be switched next corresponding to the input pattern or the display mode or a combination thereof based on the input pattern input using the touch panel Acquisition means;
With
The mode acquisition unit causes the image generation unit to switch the scan mode to the acquired scan mode, and causes the display control unit to switch the display mode to the acquired display mode.
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.   The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input pattern includes a character, a figure, a code, and the like.   3. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit ends accepting the input when a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of the input pattern was interrupted. 4. .   The pattern storage means has coordinate information on the touch panel, and the stored input pattern is a touch panel for designating one specific area or a plurality of specific areas represented by the coordinate information. 4. The combination of the upper input area and the input condition configured by the one specific area or the plurality of specific areas specified in the input area. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus as described in one. The pattern storage means stores a control command corresponding to a specific operation on the ultrasonic image displayed on the user interface,
Based on the specific operation input from the touch panel, further comprising a parameter acquisition unit that refers to the pattern storage means and acquires a control command corresponding to the specific operation,
The image generating means generates an image based on the control command;
The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The pattern storage means has a pattern registration mode. In the pattern registration mode, the type of the scan mode or the display mode and the input of the specific input pattern are received, and the input pattern corresponds to the input pattern. 6. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or a combination of a scan mode and a display mode to be switched next is stored.   In the pattern registration mode, the pattern storage means receives designation of an area in the display means of the user interface together with the input of the specific input pattern, and stores the area as an input area of the specific pattern. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 6. A control method for an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus having a plurality of scan modes for generating an ultrasound image and a plurality of display modes for displaying the ultrasound image,
An image display step of displaying the ultrasound image generated in a specific type of the scan mode in a specific type of the display mode;
A pattern acquisition stage for acquiring an input pattern which is a combination of designation of one specific area or designation of a plurality of specific areas on the touch panel;
Based on the acquired input pattern, either the scan mode or the display mode to be switched next corresponding to the input pattern acquired at the time of the scan mode and the display mode operating in advance. A mode acquisition step of acquiring either one of the scan mode or the display mode to be switched next corresponding to the acquired input pattern or a combination thereof, with reference to any one or a combination thereof;
In the mode acquisition step, when the scan mode is acquired, a scan mode switching step of switching the specific scan mode for generating the ultrasound image to the acquired scan mode;
A display mode switching step of switching the specific display mode for displaying the ultrasonic image to the acquired display mode when the display mode is acquired in the mode acquisition step;
Repeat each stage from the image display stage to the display mode switching stage,
A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

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