JP2012115283A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displaying a portion having the same elasticity in a biological tissue in the same display form.SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a physical quantity data creation part creating physical quantity data SD1-SD6 comprising data on physical quantities related to the elasticity of a test subject; a gradation data creation part creating gradation data GD1-GD3 of respective sections P1-P3 with an average value S1 of strains in the physical quantity data SD1-SD3 of the plurality of sections P1-P3 in a three-dimensional area as a reference, and creating gradation data GD4-GD6 of respective sections P4-P6 with an average value S2 of strains in the physical quantity data SD4-SD6 of the plurality of sections P4-P6; and a display image control part making an elasticity image which is an elasticity image in the display form corresponding to the elasticity of the biological tissue and is based on the gradation data be displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying an elastic image of a living tissue and a control program therefor.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that synthesizes and displays a normal B-mode image and an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue. In this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the elasticity image is created as follows. First, echo signals are acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a living tissue while deforming the living tissue, for example, by repeatedly pressing and relaxing with an ultrasonic probe. Based on the obtained echo signal, a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue is calculated, and an elastic image having a color corresponding to the physical quantity is created. Incidentally, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, a strain of the living tissue is calculated.

JP-A-2005-118152

  As one method for creating the elasticity image, an average value of the physical quantities in a cross section for creating the elasticity image is calculated, gradation data is created based on the average value, and an elasticity image based on the gradation data is created. There is a method to create. When creating an elastic image of three orthogonal cross sections based on a 3D elastic image or volume data using such an elastic image creation method, the average value of the physical quantity is calculated for each cross section and the gradation data is obtained. create. Here, for example, when the proportion of the hard part increases, when the strain is calculated as the physical quantity, the average value of the strain decreases. Therefore, the average value of the physical quantity may be different for each cross section. For this reason, in the 3D elasticity image and the elasticity image of the three orthogonal cross sections, a portion having the same elasticity in the living tissue may be displayed in a different color.

  The invention of the first aspect made to solve the above-mentioned problem is based on an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a three-dimensional region of a subject and receives an echo signal, and based on the echo signal. A physical quantity data creation unit that creates physical quantity data including physical quantity data relating to elasticity of the subject, and gradation data of each cross section based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of the plurality of cross sections in the three-dimensional region A gradation data generation unit that generates an image based on the physical quantity data, and a display image control unit that displays an elasticity image based on the gradation data, the elasticity image having a display form corresponding to the elasticity of the living tissue. And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the echo signal is received by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue of a subject to be deformed, and the gradation processing is performed. The data creation unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the gradation data is created based on an average of physical quantities in physical quantity data of a cross section in which the deformation condition of the living tissue is within the same range.

  A third aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the plurality of cross-sections are a part of cross-sections for which gradation data is to be created in the three-dimensional region.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the gradation data creating unit creates the gradation data based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of adjacent cross sections. Is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the gradation data creating unit includes a cross section in which the physical quantity of the portion where the living tissue has the same elasticity is within the same range in each cross section of the subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the gradation data is created based on an average of physical quantities calculated as a target.

  According to the invention of the sixth aspect, in the invention of the third aspect, the ultrasonic probe is provided with a pressure sensor for detecting pressure on the body surface of the subject and its relaxation pressure by the ultrasonic probe. The gradation data creating unit creates the gradation data on the basis of an average of physical quantities calculated for cross sections in which the detection values of the pressure sensor are in the same range. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the plurality of cross sections are all cross sections for which gradation data is to be created in the three-dimensional region.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the gradation data creating unit calculates a coefficient such that the physical quantities of the portions having the same elasticity of the living tissue in each cross section of the subject are the same. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the gradation data is created on the basis of an average of multiplication values obtained by multiplying physical quantity data of each cross section.

  An invention according to a ninth aspect is the ultrasonic wave according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the display image control unit displays a 2D image having a plurality of cross sections in parallel as the elastic image. It is a diagnostic device.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the display image control unit displays a 3D image as the elastic image. .

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, physical quantity data including physical quantity data relating to elasticity of a subject is transmitted to a computer based on an echo signal received by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject with an ultrasonic probe. A physical quantity data creation function to create, and a gradation data creation function to create gradation data of each cross section based on the physical quantity data based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of cross sections in a subject; And a display image control function for displaying an elasticity image in a display form corresponding to the elasticity of the living tissue and displaying the elasticity image based on the gradation data, .

  According to the invention of the above aspect, the gradation data is created based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of cross sections, and an elastic image based on the gradation data is displayed. In the elasticity image based on the gradation data thus obtained, a portion having the same elasticity in the living tissue can be displayed in the same display form.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of creation of physical quantity data. 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 the structure of the elasticity image data preparation part in the display control part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the ultrasonic image by which the B mode image and the elasticity image were synthesize | combined was displayed. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a gradation process. It is explanatory drawing of the other example of a gradation process. It is a figure explaining the reason which calculates the average value of distortion for a plurality of sections. It is explanatory drawing of calculation of the average value of distortion, and preparation of gradation data. It is explanatory drawing of the part which a biological tissue has the same elasticity. It is explanatory drawing of calculation of the average value of distortion and preparation of gradation data in the 1st modification of 1st embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of calculation of the average value of distortion and preparation of gradation data in the 1st modification of 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device provided with the pressure sensor in the ultrasonic probe. It is explanatory drawing of preparation of the multiplication value data in the modification of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the cross section which transmits / receives an ultrasonic wave in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part in which the ultrasonic image was displayed in 3rd embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode data creation unit 4, a physical quantity data creation unit 5, a display control unit 6, a display unit 7, a control unit 8, an operation unit 9, and An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 10 is provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue and receives an echo thereof. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe in the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 2 is repeatedly pressed and relaxed in contact with the surface of the living tissue, and based on echo signals acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while deforming the living tissue, as will be described later. Elastic images are created.

  A schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The ultrasonic probe 2 is a mechanical 3D probe, and includes a transducer array 200, a damper 210, and a motor 220, and is configured by housing them in a protective case 230. The vibrator array 200 is formed by arranging a plurality of vibrators 200a formed of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (titanium (Ti) zirconate (Zr) acid lead) ceramics along the first direction a. It is configured. By driving a plurality of transducers 200a of the transducer array 200, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted. Then, by sequentially switching the vibrator 200a to be driven, electronic scanning is performed in the first direction a, and an echo signal for one frame can be obtained.

  The damper 210 suppresses free vibration of the transducer array 200 after driving the transducer array 200 and transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the subject. The damper 210 is made of a material having a sound absorbing effect, and suppresses unnecessary propagation of ultrasonic waves from the damper 210 to the connection side with the rear probe cable 300.

  The motor 220 mechanically moves the transducer array 200 in a second direction b orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducers 200a (the first direction a). Thus, echo signals for a plurality of frames are obtained in the second direction b, and volume data for the three-dimensional region X can be obtained.

  Incidentally, the transmission / reception direction of the ultrasonic wave is assumed to be the third direction c as shown in FIG. Here, a plane including the first direction a and the second direction b is referred to as an ab plane, a plane including the second direction b and the third direction c is referred to as a bc plane, and the first direction a and the third direction c. A plane including “a” is called an ac plane.

  However, the ultrasonic probe 2 is not limited to such a mechanical 3D probe, and may be a 3D probe that electronically scans in the first direction a and the second direction b.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition based on a control signal from the control unit 8 to perform ultrasonic scanning for each sound ray. In this example, the transmission / reception unit 3 causes the ultrasonic probe 2 to perform electronic scanning in the first direction a and drive the motor 220 to perform mechanical scanning in the second direction b. .

  The transmission / reception unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo signal signal-processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B-mode data creation unit 4 and the physical quantity data creation unit 5.

  The B-mode data creation unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to create B-mode data BD. The B mode data BD is output from the B mode data creation unit 4 to the display control unit 6.

  The physical quantity data creation unit 5 creates physical quantity data SD related to elasticity in the living tissue based on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 (physical quantity data creation function). For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-126079, the physical quantity data creation unit 5 sets a correlation window for echo data on each sound ray in two frames, and performs a correlation calculation between the correlation windows. Thus, the physical quantity relating to the elasticity is calculated, and the physical quantity data SD is created for each surface in the three-dimensional region X. The physical quantity data creation unit 5 calculates a strain S due to deformation of the living tissue as the physical quantity. The physical quantity data SD is data composed of strain S of each part in the living tissue.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the physical quantity data creation unit 5 creates physical quantity data SD for one surface in the three-dimensional region X based on the echo data eD1 and eD2 of two adjacent frames. . The physical quantity data creation unit 5 is based on the data on the sound ray of the same coordinate in the first direction a for the echo data eD1 and eD2 among the plurality of correlation windows set for the sound rays of the echo data eD1 and eD2. Thus, the distortion S is calculated to create the physical quantity data SD. The physical quantity data creation unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity data creation unit in the present invention, and the physical quantity data creation function is an example of an embodiment of an elasticity data creation function in the present invention.

  The display control unit 6 is input with B mode data BD from the B mode data creation unit 4 and physical quantity data SD from the physical quantity data creation unit 5. The display control unit 6 includes a memory 61, a B-mode image data creation unit 62, an elastic image data creation unit 63, and a display image control unit 64 as shown in FIG.

  The memory 61 stores the B mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD. The B-mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD are stored in the memory 61 as data for each sound ray. The memory 61 stores B-mode data BD and physical quantity data SD of a plurality of cross sections in the three-dimensional region X.

  The memory 61 is composed of a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Incidentally, the B-mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD may be stored in the HDD 10 as well.

  Here, an echo signal (including data created based on the echo signal) before being converted into B-mode image data and elasticity image data, which will be described later, is referred to as raw data. The B mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10 are raw data.

  The HDD 10 may store an echo signal phased and added by the transmission / reception unit 3 as raw data.

  The B-mode image data creation unit 62 scan-converts the B-mode data BD using a scan converter, and creates B-mode image data having luminance information corresponding to the echo signal intensity. The luminance information in the B-mode image data consists of a predetermined gradation (for example, 256 gradations).

  The elastic image data creation unit 63 includes a gradation data creation unit 631, a 3D data creation unit 632, and a scan conversion unit 633 as shown in FIG. As described later, the gradation data creation unit 631 creates gradation data GD based on the physical quantity data SD (gradation data creation function). The gradation data creation unit 631 creates the gradation data GD for each cross section of the three-dimensional region X, and obtains gradation data as volume data. The gradation data creation unit 631 is an example of an embodiment of the gradation data creation unit in the present invention, and the gradation data creation function is an embodiment of the gradation data creation function in the present invention. It is an example.

  Based on the gradation data GD, the 3D data creation unit 632 creates 3D data using a technique such as volume rendering for a portion having a hardness higher than a predetermined hardness in the living tissue. The scan conversion unit 633 scan-converts the gradation data GD with a scan converter to generate 2D elastic image data, and scan-converts the 3D data with a scan converter to generate 3D elastic image data. . The elastic image data has a predetermined gradation (for example, hue information of 256 gradations).

  Based on the B-mode image data and the elasticity image data, the display image control unit 64 generates 2D ultrasonic images G1, G2, G3 having three orthogonal cross sections in the three-dimensional region X, as shown in FIG. Display on the display unit 7 (display image control function). The display image control unit 64 is an example of an embodiment of a display image control unit in the present invention, and the display image control function is an example of an embodiment of a display image control function in the present invention.

  Here, the three orthogonal cross sections are the ab plane, the bc plane, and the ac plane that intersect each other. In this example, the ultrasonic image G1 is an image for the ac plane, the ultrasonic image G2 is an image for the bc plane, and the ultrasonic image G3 is an image for the ab plane.

  Each of the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 is an image obtained by synthesizing the B-mode image BG and the elastic image EG. The display image control unit 64 synthesizes the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data by adding them to create image data of ultrasonic images G1 to G3.

  The elastic image EG is an image based on the 2D elastic image data, and has a color corresponding to elasticity as a display form corresponding to the elasticity of the living tissue. The elastic image EG is an example of an embodiment of an elastic image based on gradation data in the present invention.

  Incidentally, for the bc plane and the ab plane that are not parallel to the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, the gradation data GD of the bc plane and the ab plane is created based on the gradation data GD as volume data, and this gradation Elastic image data based on the digitized data GD is created and an elastic image EG is displayed. Note that B mode data BG for the bc plane and ab plane are also created for the bc plane and ab plane B mode images, and the B mode image BG based on the B mode data BG is displayed.

The display image control unit 64 causes the display unit 7 to display a 3D elastic image EG _3D together with the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. This 3D elasticity image is an image based on the 3D elasticity image data, and is, for example, a stereoscopic image of a portion harder than a predetermined hardness in a living tissue.

  The display unit 7 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The control unit 8 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in the HDD 10, and includes the physical quantity data creation function, the gradation data creation function, and the display image control function. The function in each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is executed.

  The operation unit 9 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. The transmission / reception unit 3 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue of the subject, and acquires an echo signal thereof. At this time, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while repeatedly deforming the living tissue by repeatedly pressing and relaxing the subject. The ultrasonic probe 2 performs ultrasonic scanning on the three-dimensional region X.

  An echo signal obtained by transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is subjected to signal processing by the transmission / reception unit 3 and then input to the B-mode data generation unit 4 and the physical quantity data generation unit 5. The B-mode data creation unit 4 creates the B-mode data BD, and the physical quantity data creation unit 5 creates the physical quantity data SD. The B-mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD are stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10.

Next, the B-mode image data creating unit 62 and the elastic image data creating unit 63 are configured so that the B-mode image data and the physical quantity data SD are stored on the memory 61 or the HDD 10 based on the B-mode data BD and the physical quantity data SD. Each color elasticity image data is created. Then, the display image control unit 64 causes the display unit 7 to display the ultrasonic images G1, G2, G3 and the 3D elastic image EG _3D as shown in FIG.

The creation of the elastic image data will be described in detail. The gradation data creation unit 631 creates gradation data GD based on the physical quantity data SD. Specifically, the gradation data creation unit 631 performs a process of gradationing the distortion S data calculated for each correlation window into N gradations (for example, N = 256), thereby generating gradation value G data. The gradation data GD consisting of is created. The gradation data creation unit 631 performs a gradation process on the basis of the average value S _AV distortion S calculated for a plurality of cross-section.

The gradation data creating unit 631, the average value gradation processing with respect to the S _AV, floors such as distortion S is the gradation value G = N / 2 to equal to the average value S _AV Perform the tuning process. For example, when N = 256, the average value _SAV is the gradation value G = 128.

Incidentally, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the minimum gradation value G _MIN is set to the minimum distortion S _MIN , and the maximum gradation value G _MAX = N is set to the maximum distortion S _MAX . However, the minimum gradation value G _MIN and the maximum gradation value G _MAX are not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the minimum grayscale value _{G MIN} is set to [Delta] S smaller distortion Ss than the average value _{S AV,} the maximum gradation value _{G MAX} is, [Delta] S greater strain than the average value _{S AV} S1 may be set. In this case, the distortion having the distortion Ss or less has the minimum gradation value _GMIN , and the distortion having the distortion S1 or more has the maximum gradation value _GMAX .

Here, the reason why the average value _SAV is calculated for a plurality of cross sections will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, a circular region C indicated by dots is a harder portion than the surrounding biological tissue T such as a tumor. The cross section Pα and the cross section Pβ pass through the circular area C, and the cross section Pα includes more of the circular area C than the cross section Pβ.

If the elasticity in the circular region C is uniform and the elasticity in the surrounding biological tissue T is uniform, the average strain values S _AV α and S _AV β are calculated for each of the cross section Pα and the cross section Pβ. In this case, the average value S _AV α of the cross section Pα is different from the average value S _AV β of the cross section Pβ. Therefore, gradation data is created based on the average value S _AV α, and gradation data is created based on the elasticity image obtained for the cross section Pα and the average value S _AV β, and obtained for the cross section Pβ. In the obtained elastic image, the circular area C is displayed in a different color.

On the other hand, intended for both cross-section of the cross Pα and sectional Pβ calculates an average value S _AV distortion, created the gradation data for each of the cross-section Pα and the sectional Pβ the average value S _AV basis If, the average value S _AV as a reference is the same between the cross sectional P.beta and the cross P.alpha, the elasticity image obtained for the said elastic image obtained for cross P.alpha sectional P.beta, area C of the circle is the same color Is displayed.

It will now be described in detail the creation of the average value S _AV of calculation and the gradation data GD. First, in the three-dimensional region X, the gradation data creating unit 631 applies the average value S of the distortion S to the physical quantity data SD of a plurality of cross sections among the cross sections for which the gradation data GD is to be created. _AV is calculated. In this example, the gradation data creation unit 631 calculates an average value S _AV distortion S directed to a physical quantity data SD of a plurality sectional adjacent. The average value _SAV is a value obtained by calculating the average value of the distortion S calculated for each correlation window in each cross section for a plurality of adjacent cross sections.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the gradation data creating unit 631 includes physical quantity data SD1, SD1, P2, P3 of the cross sections P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 in the three-dimensional region X. An average value S _AV 1 of distortion S is calculated for SD2 and SD3. The gradation data creating unit 631 calculates the average value S _AV 2 of the distortion S for the physical quantity data SD4, SD5, SD6 of the cross sections P4, P5, P6. In this way, when the three-dimensional region X more averages S _AV For obtain the gradation data creating unit 631, the gradation data GD of each section based on the respective average value S _AV create. For example, the gradation data creation unit 631 gradations the distortion S in the physical quantity data SD1 of the cross section P1 based on the average value S _AV 1 to create gradation data GD1 for the cross section P1. . Similarly, the gradation data creating unit 631 creates gradation data GD2 based on the physical quantity data SD2 with the average value S _AV 1 as a reference, and the gradation data based on the physical quantity data SD3. Create GD3. Further, the gradation data creating unit 631, based on the average value S _{AV 2,} to create a toned data GD4 based on the physical quantity data SD4, the gradation data GD5 based on the physical quantity data SD5 The gradation data GD6 is created based on the physical quantity data SD6. Thus, the gradation data creating unit 631, the average value S _AV each section became calculation target in, creating the gradation data GD and the average value S _AV as a reference.

Here, the number of cross sections for which the average value _SAV is calculated will be described. When ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received in the three-dimensional region X while repeating compression and relaxation of the biological tissue, the amount of deformation of the biological tissue is large even in a section having the same elasticity in each cross section in the three-dimensional region X. May be different. For example, the speed or pressure of compression or relaxation is smaller and the amount of deformation of the living tissue is smaller when shifting from compression to relaxation than when compressing or relaxing. When you create a grayscale data GD thus the amount of deformation of the portion having the same elasticity with respect this by calculating an average value S _AV strain S at different cross section, elastic based on the gradation data GD The image may not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. Accordingly, the gradation data creating unit 631, a plurality of cross-section the adjacent deformed condition of the living tissue is in the same range, and calculates the average value S _AV.

The deformation condition of the living tissue refers to a speed or pressure when the living tissue is deformed by compression or relaxation. The gradation data creating unit 631 is configured to apply the above-described plurality of adjacent cross sections in which the deformation conditions of the living tissue are in the same range and the strains of the portions having the same elasticity in the living tissue are in the same range. An average value _SAV is calculated. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the cross sections P1 to P3 are cross sections in which the strains of the portions having the same elasticity are in the same range Sa to Sb, and the cross sections P4 to P6 are portions having the same elasticity. This is a cross section in which the distortion of S is in the same range Sc to Sd. Therefore, in the gradation data creating unit 631, the strain average value S _AV calculated for the cross sections P1 to P3 and the cross sections P4 to P6 in which the deformation conditions of the living tissue are in the same range is used. As a reference, the gradation data of the cross sections P1 to P3 and the cross sections P4 to P6 are created.

The reason why one average value _SAV is calculated as an adjacent cross section is that if the cross section is an adjacent cross section, echo signals are received in a time close to each other. This is because there is a high possibility of becoming.

  Incidentally, the range of Sa to Sb and the range of Sc to Sd are set so as not to be too wide so that an elastic image reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue can be obtained as accurately as possible.

As the number of cross-sections for which one average value _{SAV is} to be calculated, a number in which the deformation conditions of the living tissue are in the same range may be set in advance as a default, and is input by the operator through the operation unit 9. May be set. Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 10 described above, the number of cross-sections for which one average value _SAV is calculated is set to “3”.

Above, according the to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present example described, not for each section, the gradation data GD are created on the basis of the average value S _AV in physical quantity data SD of a plurality of cross-section in a living tissue, the gradation Since an elastic image based on the digitized data GD is displayed, a portion having the same elasticity in the living tissue can be displayed in the same color.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the above description, the average value _SAV is calculated for a set number of adjacent cross-sections. However, for example, when compression and relaxation are not performed at a constant speed or pressure, the deformation conditions of the adjacent cross-sections are as follows. May be in a different range. Therefore, in this example, the gradation data creating unit 631 uses the average value for cross sections in which the strains of the portions having the same elasticity of the living tissue in each cross section in the three-dimensional region X are within the same range. _SAV is calculated. Thereby, the average value of the cross section in which the deformation | transformation conditions of a biological tissue are in the same range is computable.

The part where the living tissue has the same elasticity is, for example, a subcutaneous fat part. As shown in FIG. 11, in the physical quantity data SD, the gradation data creating unit 631 uses a part f having a predetermined depth d from the body surface as a part where the living tissue has the same elasticity. An average value Sf _AV is calculated for each cross section. Then, the gradation data creating unit 631 calculates the average value S _AV for cross sections in which the average value Sf _AV is within the same range.

For example, 12 and 13, of the cross-section P1~P6 in the three-dimensional region X, the mean value _{Sf AV} part f in the section P1, P2, P5 are turned to a predetermined range Sm～So, cross P3, P4, the average value _{Sf AV} part f in P6 is to have become a predetermined range Sp～Sr. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the gradation data creating unit 631 has physical quantity data SD1 of the cross sections P1, P2, and P5 in which the average value Sf _{AV of the} portion f is in the same range Sm to So. , SD2 and SD5, the average value S _AV 3 of the distortion S is calculated. Further, the gradation data creation unit 631, as shown in FIG. 13, wherein the average value _{Sf AV} part f is in the same range Sp~Sr section P3, P4, P6 of the physical quantity data SD3, An average value S _AV 4 of the distortion S is calculated for SD4 and SD6. Thus, the average value _{Sf AV} of the portion f is calculated the average value _{S AV} 3 sectional P1, P2, P5 are turned Sm～So average value _{Sf AV} of the portion f becomes Sp~Sr since it has the sectional P3, P4, P6 average S _{AV 4} is calculated, deformed condition of the living tissue is the average value S _AV of cross-section that is the same range is calculated.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the gradation data creation unit 631 creates gradation data GD1, GD2, GD5 for the cross sections P1, P2, P5 with reference to the average value S _AV 3. To do. Further, the gradation data creation unit 631, as shown in FIG. 13, based on the average value _{S AV} 4, creates a gradation data GD3, GD4, GD6 for the section P3, P4, P6 To do.

However, instead of calculating the average value of the part f, the pressure of the ultrasonic probe 2 against the body surface of the subject and the relaxation pressure thereof are detected for each cross section of the three-dimensional region X, and the detected value is cross-section are in the same range may be calculated an average value S _AV distortion S as target. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with a pressure sensor 21 for detecting pressure on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasonic probe 2 and pressure of relaxation thereof. This pressure sensor 21 is an example of an embodiment of the pressure sensor of the present invention.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, items different from the first embodiment will be described.

In the second embodiment, the gradation data creating unit 631 applies the average value S of the distortion S to all cross sections (cross sections for which the gradation data GD is to be created) in the three-dimensional region X. _AV is calculated.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is preferably a 3D probe that electronically scans in the first direction a and the second direction b. The ultrasonic probe 2 preferably transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to the entire three-dimensional region X at the same time. Thereby, the deformation | transformation conditions of the biological tissue in the said three-dimensional area | region X become the same.

This example as well, similarly to the first embodiment, the elastic image based on the gradation data GD created the average value S _AV as a reference, the portion having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are displayed in the same color .

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. For example, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is a mechanical 3D probe and the deformation conditions of the biological tissue are not the same for all cross sections of the three-dimensional region X, the gradation data creating unit 631 uses the same biological tissue. The physical quantity data of each cross section is multiplied by a coefficient k such that the average value of the strain S of the elastic portion is the same. For example, the gradation data creating unit 631 uses the coefficient k so that the average value Sf _AV of the portion f (see FIG. 11) having a depth d from the body surface is the same in all cross sections in the three-dimensional region X. Is multiplied by the physical quantity data of each cross section to create multiplication value data MD. This multiplication value data MD is an example of the embodiment of the multiplication value in the present invention. The gradation data creating unit 631 calculates an average value S _AV ′ of the multiplication value data MD of all the cross sections in the three-dimensional region X, and the gradation data is based on the average value S _AV ′. Create a GD.

  A specific example will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when creating gradation data for the cross sections P1, P2, P3,..., Pn, the gradation data creating unit 631 includes the physical quantity data SD1 of the cross section P1 as follows. The multiplication value data MD1 is generated by multiplying the coefficient k1, the multiplication value data MD2 is generated by multiplying the physical quantity data SD2 of the cross section P2 by the coefficient k2, and the physical quantity data SD3 of the cross section P3 is multiplied by the coefficient k3. Thus, the multiplication value data MD3 is generated, and the physical quantity data SDn of the cross section Pn is multiplied by the coefficient kn to generate the multiplication value data MDn.

  The coefficients k1 to kn are multiplied by the data of each distortion S constituting the physical quantity data SD1 to SDn to create the multiplied value data MD1 to MDn. In the multiplication value data MD1 to MDn, the strain values of the portions having the same elasticity are the same.

Next, the gradation data creating unit 631 calculates the average value S _AV ′ of the multiplication value data MD1 to MDn, and the gradation data GD (gradation data GD1 to GD1 to GD1) is calculated based on the average value S _AV ′. GDn (not shown) is created.

According to such a modification, even if the deformation conditions of the biological tissue are not the same for all the cross sections of the three-dimensional region X, the average strain value S _AV ′ calculated for all the cross sections is used. The elasticity image based on the gradation data GD created based on the above is an image that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the following description, matters different from the first and second embodiments will be described.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 16, the ultrasonic probe 2 which is a 3D probe that electronically scans in the first direction a and the second direction b simultaneously causes two cross sections Pγ and Pδ to intersect at the same time. Send and receive ultrasound. The gradation data creating unit 631, the cross section P?, Creates a gradation data GD to calculate the average value S _AV distortion S intended for Pderuta. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the ultrasonic images Gγ and Gδ obtained by combining the elastic image EG and the B-mode image BG are displayed in parallel on the display unit 7 for the cross sections Pγ and Pδ.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by each said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, the physical quantity data creation unit 5 may calculate a displacement or an elastic modulus due to deformation of the living tissue as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, or the elasticity of the living tissue by another known method. You may calculate the physical quantity regarding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 5 Physical quantity data creation part 21 Pressure sensor 64 Display image control part 631 Tonalization data creation part

Claims (11)

An ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a three-dimensional region of the subject and receiving an echo signal;
Based on the echo signal, a physical quantity data creating unit that creates physical quantity data composed of physical quantity data related to the elasticity of the subject;
A gradation data creation unit that creates gradation data of each cross section based on the physical quantity data, based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of cross sections in the three-dimensional region;
A display image control unit that displays an elasticity image based on the gradation data, which is an elasticity image in a display form according to the elasticity of the biological tissue;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The echo signal is received by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the living tissue of the subject to be deformed,
The gradation data creation unit creates the gradation data on the basis of an average of physical quantities in physical quantity data of cross-sections in which the deformation conditions of the biological tissue are within the same range. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross sections are a part of cross sections for which gradation data is to be created in the three-dimensional region.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gradation data creation unit creates the gradation data based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of adjacent cross sections.   The gradation data creating unit is configured to use the gradation data based on an average of physical quantities calculated for a cross section in which a physical quantity of a part of a living tissue having the same elasticity is within the same range in each cross section of a subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The ultrasonic probe is provided with a pressure sensor for detecting pressure on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasonic probe and pressure of relaxation thereof,
The gradation data creation unit creates the gradation data on the basis of an average of physical quantities calculated for cross-sections in which detection values of the pressure sensor are in the same range. Item 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Item 3.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross sections are all cross sections for which gradation data is to be created in the three-dimensional region.   The gradation data generation unit is an average of multiplication values obtained by multiplying the physical quantity data of each cross section by a coefficient such that the physical quantity of the portion having the same elasticity of the living tissue in each cross section of the subject is the same. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gradation data is created on the basis of.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display image control unit displays a 2D image having a plurality of cross sections in parallel as the elasticity image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display image control unit displays a 3D image as the elastic image. On the computer,
A physical quantity data creation function for creating physical quantity data consisting of physical quantity data related to elasticity of the subject, based on an echo signal received by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject with an ultrasonic probe;
A gradation data creation function for creating gradation data of each cross section based on the physical quantity data, based on an average of physical quantities in the physical quantity data of a plurality of cross sections in a subject;
A display image control function for displaying an elasticity image based on the gradation data, which is an elasticity image in a display form corresponding to the elasticity of the biological tissue;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that

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