JP2012005511A - Ultrasonograph and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonograph enabling a cross section to be easily confirmed without disturbing the observation of a contrast image.SOLUTION: The ultrasonograph includes: a contrast image display control part causing a contrast image HG to be displayed; and a B-mode image display control part causing a B-mode image BG to be displayed within a prescribed area R set in the contrast image HG, as a cross section specifying image for specifying the cross section of a subject, regardless of a contrast agent in the subject. A color Doppler image, a power Doppler image and a B-flow image may be displayed in place of the B-mode image BG in the area R.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a contrast image and a control program therefor.

  A contrast image is an image created by injecting a contrast medium into a subject, transmitting and receiving ultrasound, and extracting harmonics based on the obtained echo signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in the contrast image for the liver, the state in which the contrast medium infiltrates into the liver, the state in which the contrast medium infiltrated into the liver falls off, and the like are continuously observed.

JP 2009-77788 A

  By the way, in the contrast image which targets the liver, for example, until the contrast agent infiltrates, the overall luminance is low, and it is difficult to visually recognize the tissue and blood vessels. Therefore, it may be difficult to specify a desired cross section to be observed in the contrast image. On the other hand, even when the B-mode image is not infiltrated with a contrast agent, tissues, blood vessels, and the like can be visually recognized. For this reason, in observing a contrast image on a desired section, it is necessary to display a contrast image after confirming that the B-mode image is displayed and confirm that the section is the desired section.

  In addition, when observing a real-time contrast image for a relatively long time, since the scan is performed while holding the ultrasonic probe by hand, the scan position may shift and the cross-section of the contrast image may move. is there. Therefore, for example, by switching and displaying a contrast image and a B-mode image, or displaying a contrast image and a B-mode image side by side, it is confirmed whether a desired cross section is displayed in the B-mode image. Yes. However, switching between both images is cumbersome, and when displaying side by side, the image becomes smaller than when only one of them is displayed, and the operator needs to move the line of sight, which hinders the observation of contrast images. Bring In view of the above, there is a demand for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control program therefor that can easily confirm a cross-section without hindering the observation of contrast images.

  The invention of the first aspect made to solve the above-described problems includes a contrast image display control unit for displaying a contrast image, and a contrast agent in a subject in a predetermined region set in the contrast image. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a cross-section specifying image display control unit that displays a cross-section specifying image that can specify a cross section of a subject regardless of the subject.

  A second aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a B-mode image.

  A third aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a color Doppler image.

  The invention according to a fourth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a power Doppler image.

  An invention of a fifth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the invention of the first aspect, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a B flow image.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an operation unit for performing an input for setting the predetermined region.

  An invention of a seventh aspect is the invention of any one of the first to sixth aspects, for detecting a position in a three-dimensional space of an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receives an echo. A position calculation unit that calculates the position of echo data in the three-dimensional space based on position detection information of the position sensor, a storage unit that stores medical image data acquired in advance, and the storage A medical image display control unit that displays a medical image based on the medical image data stored in the unit, and the contrast image display control unit and the cross-section specifying image display control unit are acquired by the ultrasonic probe. The medical image display control unit displays the contrast image and the cross-section specifying image based on the echo to be generated, based on the position of the echo data calculated by the position calculation unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by displaying a medical image of the image and the cross sectional specific image has the same cross-sectional.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, a contrast image display control function for displaying a contrast image, and a cross section of the subject can be specified within a predetermined region set in the contrast image regardless of the contrast agent in the subject A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that causes a computer to execute a cross-section specifying image display control function for displaying a cross-section specifying image.

  According to the invention of the above aspect, the subject is included in the predetermined region set in the contrast image regardless of the contrast agent in the subject, such as a B-mode image, a color Doppler image, a power Doppler image, or a B flow image. Since the cross-section specifying image capable of specifying the cross-section is displayed, it is possible to easily check the cross-section without hindering the observation of the contrast image.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of 1st embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part by which the B mode image was displayed on the area | region set to the contrast image. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part in which the B mode image of the part where the blood vessel branches is displayed. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the 1st modification of 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the 2nd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the 3rd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of 2nd embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of the display part on which the B mode image and the medical image were displayed side by side. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part on which the B-mode image and medical image of the same cross section were displayed side by side. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part by which the contrast image of the same cross section, B mode image, and the medical image were displayed side by side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B mode processing unit 4, a contrast mode processing unit 5, a display control unit 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a control unit 9, and an HDD. (Hard disk drive: Hard Disk Drive) 10 is provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject through the ultrasonic transducers, and echo signals thereof. Receive. The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined transmission condition, and scans a scan surface in an acoustic ray sequence with an ultrasonic beam. The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 according to a control signal from the control unit 9.

  Further, the transmission / reception unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2, and uses the B-mode processing unit 4 and the contrast mode processing for the echo data after the signal processing. Output to unit 5.

  The B-mode processing unit 4 creates B-mode data by performing predetermined processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3. The B mode data output from the B mode processing unit 4 is input to the display control unit 6.

  The contrast mode processing unit 5 extracts a harmonic component (for example, a second harmonic component) included in the echo data and creates contrast mode data. The contrast mode data output from the contrast mode processing unit 5 is input to the display control unit 6.

  Incidentally, since the harmonic component mainly includes echoes from the contrast agent, the contrast image HG created based on the contrast mode data as described later is mainly an image that clearly shows the contrast agent. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 6 includes a memory 61, a contrast image display control unit 62, and a B-mode image display control unit 63. The memory 61 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 61 stores, for example, the B mode data and the contrast mode data. The B mode data and the contrast mode data may be stored in the HDD 10.

  The contrast image display control unit 62 converts the contrast mode data for each sound ray into contrast mode image data by a scan converter (Scan Converter), and displays the contrast image HG based on the contrast mode image data on the display unit 7. (Contrast image display control function) The contrast image display control unit 62 is an example of an embodiment of a contrast image display control unit in the present invention, and the contrast image display control function is an example of an embodiment of a contrast image display control function in the present invention. is there.

  The B-mode image display control unit 63 converts the B-mode data for each sound ray into B-mode image data by a scan converter, and causes the display unit 7 to display a B-mode image BG based on the B-mode image data ( B-mode image display control function). As shown in FIG. 3, the B-mode image display control unit 62 displays the B-mode image BG in the region R set in the contrast image HG.

  Here, since the contrast image HG is an image mainly showing the contrast agent clearly as described above, the contrast image HG is low when the contrast agent does not infiltrate the ultrasonic scan region. It becomes difficult to visually recognize a tissue or a blood vessel due to a luminance image. Further, if the contrast medium HG infiltrates the entire scan region, the contrast medium HG becomes a high-intensity image and it is difficult to visually recognize tissues and blood vessels. On the other hand, the B-mode image BG that is not mainly an image that clearly shows the contrast medium is a case where the contrast medium has infiltrated the entire scan area even when the contrast medium has not infiltrated the scan area. However, it is possible to visually recognize tissues and blood vessels, and the cross section of the subject can be specified regardless of the infiltration state of the contrast medium in the subject. Therefore, the B-mode image BG is an example of an embodiment of a cross-section specifying image in the present invention, and the B-mode image display control unit 62 is an example of an embodiment of a cross-section specifying image display control unit in the present invention. is there. The B-mode image display control function is an example of an embodiment of the cross-section specifying image display control function in the present invention.

  The display unit 7 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation unit 8 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information. In the operation unit 8, an input for setting the region R by adjusting the position and size of the region R as described later is performed. Therefore, the operation unit 8 is an example of an embodiment of the operation unit in the present invention.

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU (CentRal Processing Unit). The control unit 9 reads out a control program stored in the HDD 10 and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 including the contrast image display control function and the B-mode image display control function.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. When the contrast medium is injected into the subject and imaging in the contrast mode is started, the contrast image display control unit 62 displays the contrast image HG as shown in FIG. 3, and the B mode image display control unit 63 The B mode image BG is displayed in the region R set in the contrast image HG. The position of the region R is an arbitrary position in the contrast image HG, for example, a position set as a default. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator sets the region R so that a B-mode image BG representing a characteristic part that can identify the cross section of the subject, such as a part where the blood vessel bl branches, is displayed. Set. The operator sets the region R by adjusting the position and size of the region R using the pointing device of the operation unit 8 or the like. However, it is preferable that the size of the region R is set to a size that does not hinder the observation of the contrast image HG.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present example described above, the B-mode image BG that can specify the cross section of the subject in the region R set in the contrast image HG regardless of the infiltration state of the contrast medium in the subject. Is displayed, it is possible to easily confirm the cross section without hindering the observation of the contrast image.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. In the first modification, a color doppler image may be displayed instead of the B-mode image BG. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 ′ of the first modified example includes a color Doppler processing unit 11 instead of the B-mode processing unit 4, and as shown in FIG. The display control unit 6 includes a color Doppler image display control unit 64 instead of the B-mode image display control unit 63.

  The color Doppler processing unit 11 obtains the flow velocity and dispersion of the moving echo source based on the echo data from the transmission / reception unit 3. The color Doppler image display control unit 64 displays a color Doppler image CdG (not shown) based on the flow velocity and dispersion obtained by the color Doppler processing unit 11 in the region R set in the contrast image HG. Let

  Here, the color Doppler image representing the flow velocity and dispersion of the blood flow that is the echo source can also observe the blood flow regardless of the infiltration state of the contrast agent, and the cross section of the subject can be specified. Therefore, as in the first modified example, the color Doppler image CdG may be displayed as a cross-section specifying image instead of the B-mode image BG. The color Doppler image display control unit 64 in the first modification is an example of an embodiment of a cross-section specifying image display control unit in the present invention.

  Next, a second modification will be described. In this second modification, a power doppler image may be displayed instead of the B-mode image BG or the color Doppler image CdG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 ″ according to the second modification includes a power Doppler processing unit 12 instead of the B-mode processing unit 4 and the color Doppler processing unit 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the display control unit 6 has a power Doppler image display control unit 65 instead of the B-mode image display control unit 63 and the color Doppler image display control unit 64.

  The power Doppler processing unit 12 obtains the power of the moving echo source based on the echo data from the transmission / reception unit 3. Then, the power Doppler image display control unit 65 displays a power Doppler image PdG (not shown) based on the power obtained by the power Doppler processing unit 12 in the region R set in the contrast image HG.

  Here, the power Doppler image representing the power of the echo source can also observe the blood flow regardless of the infiltration state of the contrast agent, and can identify the cross section of the subject. Therefore, as in the second modified example, the power Doppler image PdG may be displayed as the cross-section specifying image instead of the B-mode image BG and the color Doppler image CdG. The power Doppler image display control unit 65 in the second modification is an example of an embodiment of a cross-section specifying image display control unit in the present invention.

  Next, a third modification will be described. In the third modification, a B flow (B-flow) image obtained by imaging blood flow may be displayed instead of the B mode image BG, the color Doppler image CdG, and the power Doppler image PdG. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 ′ ″ of the third modified example is replaced with the B-mode processing unit 4, the color Doppler processing unit 11, and the power Doppler processing unit 12. And the B flow processing unit 13, and as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 6 includes the B-mode image display control unit 63, the color Doppler image display control unit 64, and the power Doppler image display control unit 65. Instead of this, a B flow image display control unit 66 is provided.

  The B flow processing unit 13 performs B flow processing on the echo data from the transmission / reception unit 3 to suppress signals from surrounding tissue that is stationary, and from a minute reflector such as red blood cells in the bloodstream. The reflected signal is taken out and B flow data is created. Then, the B flow image display control unit 66 displays a B flow image BfG (not shown) based on the B flow data obtained by the B flow processing unit 13 in the region R set in the contrast image HG. Let

  Here, the B flow image can also observe the blood flow regardless of the infiltration state of the contrast agent, and can identify the cross section of the subject. Therefore, as in the third modified example, the B flow image BfG may be displayed as the cross-section specifying image instead of the B mode image BG, the color Doppler image CdG, and the power Doppler image PdG. The B flow image display control unit 66 in the third modification is an example of an embodiment of a cross-section specifying image display control unit in the present invention.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 20 of this example shown in FIG. 11 includes a magnetic sensor 21 and a magnetism generator 22. About another structure, it is the same as that of 1st embodiment provided with the said B mode process part 4, attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits detailed description.

  The magnetic sensor 21 is composed of, for example, a Hall element, and is provided in the ultrasonic probe 2. The magnetic sensor 21 detects the magnetism generated from the magnetism generator 22 composed of a magnetism generating coil, for example. A detection signal in the magnetic sensor 21 is input to the display control unit 6. The detection signal in the magnetic sensor 21 may be input to the display control unit 6 via a cable (not shown), or may be input to the display control unit 6 wirelessly. The magnetic sensor 21 and the magnetism generator 22 are an example of an embodiment of a position sensor in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 6 includes a position calculation unit 67 and a medical image display control unit 68 in addition to the memory 61, the contrast image display control unit 62, and the B-mode image display control unit 63. Have. Based on the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 21, the position calculation unit 67 is information on the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space with the magnetic generation unit 22 as the origin (hereinafter referred to as "probe position"). Information)). Further, the position calculation unit 67 calculates position information of the echo data in the three-dimensional space based on the probe position information. The position calculation unit 67 is an example of an embodiment of the position calculation unit in the present invention.

  Here, in this example, the memory 61 stores medical image MG data acquired in advance. The medical image MG is an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) image or an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) image acquired by an apparatus other than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 20. Data of the medical image MG acquired in advance may be stored in the HDD 10. The memory 61 and the HDD 10 are an example of an embodiment of a storage unit in the present invention.

  The medical image display control unit 68 causes the display unit 7 to display a medical image MG based on medical image data stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10. The medical image display control unit 68 is an example of an embodiment of a medical image display control unit in the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 20 of this example will be described. First, in this example, alignment processing is performed between the coordinate system of the ultrasound image (contrast image HG and B-mode image BG), which is a coordinate system with the magnetic generator 22 as the origin, and the coordinate system of the medical image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the B-mode image display control unit 63 displays a real-time B-mode image BG, and the medical image display control unit 68 converts the medical image MG into the B-mode image. It is displayed on the display unit 7 along with BG. When the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG are displayed side by side on the display unit 7, the operator moves the cross section of one or both images while comparing the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG at the same position on the subject are displayed. Whether or not they are at the same position is determined by, for example, the operator referring to a characteristic part such as a branching part of the blood vessel bl.

  Incidentally, the movement of the cross section of the B-mode image BG is performed by changing the position of the ultrasonic probe 2. The cross section of the medical image MG is moved by operating the operation unit 8 and inputting an instruction to change the cross section.

  When the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG for the same position are displayed, the operator inputs an instruction indicating that the same position is displayed on the operation unit 8. As a result, the alignment of the coordinate system of the ultrasound image (contrast image HG and B-mode image BG) and the coordinate system of the medical image is completed, and the coordinate conversion formula between the two coordinate systems is determined and coordinate conversion is possible. become.

  After the alignment, the medical image display control unit 68 displays the medical image MG at the same position as the real-time B-mode image BG. The medical image display control unit 68 converts the position information of the echo data calculated by the position calculation unit 67 into position information in the coordinate system of the medical image MG, and performs medical conversion at the same position as the B-mode image BG. The image MG is displayed. The medical image display control unit 68 displays the medical image MG at the same position as the contrast image HG and the B-mode image BG even after the contrast image HG is displayed as described later.

  As in the first embodiment, when imaging in the contrast mode is started, the contrast image display control unit 62 displays a real-time contrast image HG as shown in FIG. 15, and the B mode image display control unit 63 A real-time B-mode image BG is displayed in the region R set in the contrast image HG. Then, as in the first embodiment, the position, size, etc. of the region R are adjusted so that a characteristic part capable of specifying the cross section of the subject is displayed on the B-mode image BG.

  Here, even if the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 changes, the medical image display control unit 68 displays the medical image MG at the same position as the real-time B-mode image BG and contrast image HG in principle. However, the medical image MG at a position different from the B-mode image BG and the contrast image HG may be displayed due to an error in position detection of the ultrasonic probe 2 by the magnetic sensor 21 or the like. In this case, the operator performs alignment again while viewing the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG in the region R in the contrast image HG.

  The realignment will be described in detail. First, the operator displays a desired cross section in one of the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG, and marks a characteristic portion on the image. Thereafter, a desired cross section is displayed in the other image, and the same portion as the marked portion in one image is marked. Thereby, the coordinate conversion formula is obtained again, and the coordinate conversion is performed according to the new coordinate conversion formula.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 20 of this example, when displaying the contrast image HG, the B mode image BG, and the medical image MG at the same position for observation, the B mode image is displayed while displaying the contrast image HG. Since BG is also displayed, it is possible to grasp whether or not the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG are images of the same cross section while observing the contrast image HG. When it is confirmed that the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG are not in the same cross section, the B-mode image is displayed in a state where the contrast image HG is displayed and the contrast image HG can be observed. The positioning can be performed again while viewing the BG and the medical image MG.

  Incidentally, also in this example, as in each modification of the first embodiment, instead of the B-mode image BG, the color Doppler image CdG, the power Doppler are included in the region R set in the contrast image HG. The image PdG or the B flow image Bfd may be displayed.

  In this example, the medical image MG may be a B-mode image based on B-mode data or B-mode image data acquired in advance in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 20 and stored in the HDD 10 or the memory 61. Good.

  Further, the contrast image HG may be displayed, and the B-mode image BG may be displayed in the region R set in the contrast image HG to perform the alignment process in this example. Even in this case, it is possible to perform alignment while comparing the B-mode image BG and the medical image MG in the region R.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point.

1,20 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 8 Operation section 10 HDD (storage section)
21 Magnetic sensor (position sensor)
22 Magnetic generator (position sensor)
61 Memory (storage unit)
62 Contrast image display control unit 63 B-mode image display control unit (cross-section specific image display control unit)
64 Color Doppler image display control unit (cross-section specific image display control unit)
65 Power Doppler Image Display Control Unit (Section Specific Image Display Control Unit)
66 B flow image display control unit (cross-section specific image display control unit)
67 Position calculation unit 68 Medical image display control unit HG Contrast image BG B mode image CdG Color Doppler image PdG Power Doppler image BfG B flow image MG Medical image

Claims (8)

A contrast image display control unit for displaying a contrast image;
A cross-section specifying image display control unit for displaying a cross-section specifying image capable of specifying a cross section of the subject regardless of the contrast agent in the subject in a predetermined region set in the contrast image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a B-mode image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a color Doppler image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a power Doppler image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section specifying image is a B flow image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that performs input for setting the predetermined region. A position sensor for detecting a position in a three-dimensional space of an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receives an echo;
A position calculation unit that calculates the position of echo data in the three-dimensional space based on position detection information of the position sensor;
A storage unit for storing medical image data acquired in advance;
A medical image display control unit for displaying a medical image based on the medical image data stored in the storage unit,
The contrast image display control unit and the cross-section specifying image display control unit display a contrast image and a cross-section specifying image based on echoes acquired by the ultrasound probe, and the medical image display control unit is controlled by the position calculation unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a medical image having the same cross section as the contrast image and the cross-section specifying image is displayed based on the calculated position of the echo data. A contrast image display control function for displaying a contrast image;
A cross-section specifying image display control function for displaying a cross-section specifying image capable of specifying the cross section of the subject regardless of the contrast agent in the subject within the predetermined region set in the contrast image;
Is a control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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