JP2012115290A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of shortening a time required for display of a Doppler spectrum which is in an easily observed state by an operator.SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitting receiving condition determining section 16a, an acquiring section 16b and an adjusting section 16c. When a range gate serving as an extracted portion of speed information is set, the transmitting receiving condition determining section 16a determines transmitting and receiving conditions of ultrasonic waves to be transmitted and received by an ultrasonic probe on the basis of the position of the range gate. After at least the receiving condition is determined, the acquiring section 16b acquires a system noise level for discriminating between a signal originated from a reflection wave of an ultrasonic wave from the range gate and a system noise of its own apparatus. After the system noise level is acquired, the adjusting section 16c adjusts a display parameter for displaying the Doppler spectrum of the range gate to be generated by the reflected wave signal discriminated by using the system noise level.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, blood flow information is generated and displayed using a Doppler signal extracted from an ultrasonic reflected wave. Examples of blood flow information generated and displayed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus include a color Doppler image and a Doppler spectrum indicating a change in blood flow velocity along a time series. The Doppler spectrum is a waveform obtained by plotting the blood flow velocity in the range gate set by the operator as the observation site of the blood flow information along the time series. The range gate displays the B-mode image, the M-mode image, and the color Doppler image. It is set on the blood vessel image by the referring operator.

  Here, the blood flow velocity of the living body varies depending on the part to be diagnosed and the condition of the living body, and depending on the setting of the flow rate range and the position of the baseline, the signal may be expressed in a reversed manner or very much relative to the ratio of the display screen. The Doppler spectrum may appear small. For this reason, some ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have a function of automatically adjusting display parameters for accurately displaying a Doppler spectrum. Specifically, in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the Doppler spectrum is not reversed, the Doppler spectrum is an appropriate size with respect to the ratio of the display screen, and the Doppler spectrum is displayed with an appropriate brightness. Display parameters are automatically adjusted. The display parameters to be adjusted include a repetition frequency (PRF), a baseline position indicating a position where the speed is “0” in the Doppler spectrum, and a gain value for adjusting the luminance of the Doppler spectrum. Can be mentioned.

  The above-described automatic adjustment of the display parameter is executed by the operator who has set the range gate, for example, by turning on the automatic adjustment function switch. In order to adjust the display parameter, it is necessary to measure in advance the system noise level corresponding to the set position of the range gate. Here, the system noise level is used as a threshold value for discriminating between a signal and noise. That is, after measuring the system noise level, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus adjusts the parameter for displaying the Doppler spectrum generated using the data identified as the signal using the system noise level. As a result, the operator can perform blood flow velocity measurement and the like with reference to the Doppler spectrum having a waveform that is easy to observe.

  Hereinafter, display parameter adjustment processing executed by a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining display parameter adjustment processing executed by a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not a B-mode scan start request has been received (step S1). Here, when the B-mode scan start request is not accepted (No in step S1), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus enters a standby state. The determination in step S1 may be a case where it is determined whether an M mode scan start request has been accepted.

  On the other hand, when a B-mode scan start request is received (Yes in step S1), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a B-mode image and displays the generated B-mode image (step S2). Then, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not a color Doppler mode scan start request has been received (step S3). Here, when the scan start request in the color Doppler mode is not accepted (No at Step S3), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus returns to Step S2 and displays the newly generated B-mode image.

  On the other hand, when a scan start request in the color Doppler mode is received (Yes at Step S3), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a color Doppler image and displays the generated color Doppler image (Step S4). Then, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not a range gate for generating a Doppler spectrum is set (step S5). Here, when the range gate is not set (No at Step S5), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus returns to Step S4 and displays the newly generated color Doppler image.

  On the other hand, when the range gate is set (Yes at Step S5), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a Doppler spectrum in the range gate and displays the generated Doppler spectrum (Step S6). Specifically, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines ultrasonic transmission / reception conditions according to a set position of a range gate, and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves based on the determined ultrasonic transmission / reception conditions. Then, the reflected wave data of the range gate is generated. Then, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates Doppler data using the generated reflected wave data of the range gate, and generates a Doppler spectrum.

  Then, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not the automatic adjustment button has been pressed (step S7). If the automatic adjustment button is not pressed (No at Step S7), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus returns to Step S6 and displays the newly generated Doppler spectrum.

  On the other hand, when the automatic adjustment button is pressed (Yes at Step S7), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus acquires the system noise level (Step S8) and starts adjusting the display parameters (Step S9). Then, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not the adjustment of the display parameter has been completed (step S10). Here, when the adjustment of the display parameter is not completed (No at Step S10), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus waits without performing the next process until the adjustment of the display parameter is completed.

  On the other hand, when the adjustment of the display parameters is completed (Yes at Step S10), the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus sequentially generates Doppler spectra based on the display parameters from the reflected wave data identified as the signal by the system noise level. Then, the Doppler spectrum based on the display parameters is sequentially displayed (step S11), and the process ends. Then, the operator performs various measurements such as blood flow velocity and blood flow volume in the range gate using the Doppler spectrum.

JP 2007-175069 A US Pat. No. 6,579,238

  By the way, in the above-described conventional technique, since the display parameter is automatically adjusted after the system noise level is acquired, the timing at which the automatic adjustment is completed is delayed from the timing at which the operator wants to automatically adjust.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a transmission / reception condition determination unit, an acquisition unit, and an adjustment unit. The transmission / reception condition determining unit is configured to generate a Doppler spectrum indicating the speed information along the time series of the moving body, based on the position of the range gate when the range gate that is the extraction part of the speed information is set. Then, the transmission conditions and reception conditions of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe are determined. The acquisition unit, after at least the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit, system noise for identifying a signal derived from the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave from the position of the range gate and the system noise of the own device Get the level. The adjustment unit causes the predetermined display unit to display the Doppler spectrum of the range gate generated by the reflected wave signal identified using the system noise level after the acquisition unit acquires the system noise level. As a display parameter for this purpose, the gain value for determining the repetition frequency, the position of the baseline, and the luminance of the Doppler spectrum is adjusted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a Doppler spectrum. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining display parameters. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the system noise level. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example in which the processing of the transmission / reception condition determination unit and the acquisition unit according to the present embodiment is executed. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing of the transmission / reception condition determination unit and the acquisition unit according to the present embodiment in the blanking period. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the adjustment unit according to the present embodiment after the blanking period. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional process performed in the blanking period and after the blanking period. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining display parameter adjustment processing executed by a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a monitor 2, an input device 3, and an apparatus main body 10.

  The ultrasonic probe 1 includes a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, and the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators generate ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal supplied from a transmission / reception unit 11 included in the apparatus main body 10 described later. The ultrasonic probe 1 receives a reflected wave from the subject P and converts it into an electrical signal. The ultrasonic probe 1 includes a matching layer and an acoustic lens provided in the piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material that prevents propagation of ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric vibrator to the rear, and the like. The ultrasonic probe 1 is detachably connected to the apparatus main body 10.

  When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1 to the subject P, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected one after another at the discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance in the body tissue of the subject P, and the ultrasonic probe is used as a reflected wave signal. 1 is received by a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators. The amplitude of the received reflected wave signal depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuous surface where the ultrasonic wave is reflected. Note that the reflected wave signal when the transmitted ultrasonic pulse is reflected on the moving blood flow or the surface of the heart wall depends on the velocity component of the moving body in the ultrasonic transmission direction due to the Doppler effect. And undergoes a frequency shift (Doppler shift).

  In this embodiment, even when the subject P is scanned two-dimensionally by the ultrasonic probe 1 that is a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in a row, the one-dimensional ultrasonic wave is used. An object P is obtained by an ultrasonic probe 1 that mechanically swings a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators of the probe or an ultrasonic probe 1 that is a two-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in a two-dimensional grid. Even when scanning in three dimensions, it is applicable.

  The input device 3 includes a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a panel switch, a touch command screen, a foot switch, a trackball, and the like, accepts various setting requests from an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and accepts them to the apparatus body 10. Transfer various setting requests.

  For example, the operator sets the range gate using the trackball included in the input device 3 according to the present embodiment. Also, the operator makes a display parameter adjustment request by pressing an automatic adjustment button for display parameters included in the input device 3 according to the present embodiment. The range gate and display parameters will be described later in detail.

  The monitor 2 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to input various setting requests using the input device 3, or displays an ultrasonic image generated in the apparatus main body 10. To do.

  The apparatus main body 10 is an apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image based on the reflected wave received by the ultrasonic probe 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11, a B-mode processing unit 12, a Doppler processing unit 13, an image generation unit 14, an image memory 15, a control unit 16, and an internal storage unit 17. And have.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 includes a trigger generation circuit, a transmission delay circuit, a pulsar circuit, and the like, and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 1. The pulsar circuit repeatedly generates a rate pulse for forming a predetermined repetition frequency (PRF) transmission ultrasonic wave. The PRF is also called a rate frequency. Each transmission delay circuit generates a transmission delay time for each piezoelectric vibrator necessary for determining transmission directivity by focusing ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic probe 1 into a beam shape. Give to rate pulse. The trigger generation circuit applies a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 1 at a timing based on the rate pulse. That is, the transmission delay circuit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction from the piezoelectric vibrator surface by changing the transmission delay time given to each rate pulse.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 has a function capable of instantaneously changing a transmission frequency, a transmission drive voltage, and the like in order to execute a predetermined scan sequence based on an instruction from the control unit 16 described later. In particular, the change of the transmission drive voltage is realized by a linear amplifier type transmission circuit capable of instantaneously switching its value or a mechanism for electrically switching a plurality of power supply units.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, a reception delay circuit, an adder, and the like, and performs various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 1 to generate reflected wave data. To do. The amplifier circuit amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel and performs gain correction processing. The A / D converter A / D converts the reflected wave signal whose gain is corrected. The reception delay circuit gives a reception delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity to the digital data. The adder performs the addition process of the reflected wave signal given the reception delay time by the reception delay circuit to generate the reflected wave data. By the addition processing of the adder, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal is emphasized.

  Here, the transmission delay time and the reception delay time are determined by the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam and the position (depth) of the reception focus from the acoustic lens, and the transmission / reception unit 11 uses the transmission delay time and the reception delay time. Thus, transmission directivity and reception directivity in transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves are controlled.

  Further, the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment can change the piezoelectric vibrator (transmission aperture and reception aperture) used for transmission and reception according to the positions of the transmission focus and the reception focus. For example, when receiving a reflected wave signal from a close position, the number of transducers to be received is reduced in order to apply a strong reception focus, and only the reflected wave signal received by the piezoelectric transducer in the center portion is received. A small reception aperture is determined as a reception condition so as to be used for generating an ultrasonic image. Further, when receiving a reflected wave signal from a distant position, the reception focus can be made stronger as the aperture of the piezoelectric vibrator is larger, so the reception condition is determined so as to increase the aperture for reception according to the distance.

  The B-mode processing unit 12 receives the reflected wave data from the transmission / reception unit 11 and performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, and the like to generate data (B-mode data) in which the signal intensity is expressed by brightness. .

  The Doppler processing unit 13 extracts the Doppler shift by performing frequency analysis of the velocity information from the reflected wave data received from the transmission / reception unit 11, and uses the Doppler shift to thereby obtain a blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo due to the Doppler effect. A component is extracted, and data (Doppler data) is generated by extracting moving body information such as average speed, variance, and power for multiple points.

  Note that the B-mode processing unit 12 and the Doppler processing unit 13 according to the present embodiment can process both two-dimensional reflected wave data and three-dimensional reflected wave data.

  The image generation unit 14 generates an ultrasound image from the data generated by the B mode processing unit 12 and the Doppler processing unit 13. That is, the image generation unit 14 generates a B-mode image in which the intensity of the reflected wave is represented by luminance from the B-mode data generated by the B-mode processing unit 12. Alternatively, the image generation unit 14 is an M-mode image that represents a change along the time series of the reflected wave intensity in the predetermined scan line in luminance from the B-mode data in the predetermined scan line generated by the B-mode processing unit 12. Is generated.

  In addition, the image generation unit 14 is an average velocity image, a dispersion image, a power image, or a combination image representing moving body information (blood flow information or tissue movement information) from the Doppler data generated by the Doppler processing unit 13. Generate a color Doppler image.

  Further, the image generation unit 14 generates a Doppler spectrum obtained by plotting velocity information (blood flow velocity information and tissue velocity information) of the moving body in time series from the Doppler data generated by the Doppler processing unit 13. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a Doppler spectrum.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator sets the range gate a as a part where the blood flow velocity is desired to be observed in the region where the blood flow recognized by the color Doppler image exists. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 2, the image generation unit 14 plots the blood flow velocity extracted from the Doppler shift in the range gate a (the blood flow velocity distribution extracted in the range gate) along the time series. The Doppler spectrum A is generated.

  The image generation unit 14 can also generate a composite image in which character information, scales, body marks, and the like of various parameters are combined with the ultrasonic image.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image memory 15 is a memory for storing the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 14. The image memory 15 can also store data generated by the B-mode processing unit 12 and the Doppler processing unit 13.

  The internal storage unit 17 stores a control program for performing ultrasonic transmission / reception, image processing, and display processing, diagnostic information (for example, patient ID, doctor's findings, etc.), various data such as a diagnostic protocol and various body marks. To do. The internal storage unit 17 is also used for storing images stored in the image memory 15 as necessary. The data stored in the internal storage unit 17 can be transferred to an external peripheral device via an interface (not shown).

  The control unit 16 controls the entire processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Specifically, the control unit 16 is based on various setting requests input from the operator via the input device 3 and various control programs and various data read from the internal storage unit 17. The processing of the processing unit 12, the Doppler processing unit 13, and the image generation unit 14 is controlled. The control unit 16 controls the monitor 2 to display an ultrasonic image stored in the image memory 15 and a GUI for designating various processes performed by the image generation unit 14.

  The overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment has been described above. With this configuration, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a Doppler spectrum in the range gate set by the operator, and displays the generated Doppler spectrum.

  Here, the blood flow velocity of the living body varies depending on the part to be diagnosed and the condition of the living body, and depending on the setting of the flow rate range and the position of the baseline, the signal may be expressed in a reversed manner or very much relative to the ratio of the display screen. The Doppler spectrum may appear small. For this reason, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of automatically adjusting display parameters for accurately displaying the Doppler spectrum, similarly to the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining display parameters.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment adjusts display parameters in response to a request from an operator when the generated Doppler spectrum is turned over. To do. Here, the folding can be eliminated by increasing the PRF. However, since the flow velocity range of the blood flow velocity displayed in the Doppler spectrum increases as the PRF increases, the waveform of the Doppler spectrum becomes vertical. Reduced in direction. The Doppler spectrum in such a case is difficult for the operator to observe. In addition, the aliasing can be resolved by shifting the position of the baseline indicating the position where the velocity is “0” in the Doppler spectrum. However, if the value of the blood flow velocity is large, the baseline position is shifted. However, there is a case where the folding is not solved.

  That is, it is necessary to adjust both the PRF and the base line position so that the Doppler spectrum does not turn over and the Doppler spectrum has an appropriate size with respect to the ratio of the display screen. In order to display a Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe, it is necessary to adjust the gain value for adjusting the luminance of the Doppler spectrum together with the positions of the PRF and the baseline.

  Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, when a request for automatic adjustment of a display parameter input by an operator pressing an automatic adjustment button is received, is illustrated in FIG. As described above, the PRF, the baseline position, and the gain value are adjusted as display parameters. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3C, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment does not cause folding, has an appropriate size with respect to the ratio of the display screen, and is appropriate. Generates and displays the Doppler spectrum with brightness.

  However, in order to automatically adjust the display parameter, it is necessary to obtain a system noise level in advance according to the set position of the range gate. A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus acquires a system noise level after receiving a request for automatic adjustment of a display parameter, and then automatically adjusts a display parameter. That is, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the timing at which the Doppler spectrum that is easy to observe by the operator is displayed is delayed from the timing desired by the operator.

  Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment executes the process of the control unit 16 described below in order to reduce the time required for displaying the Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 16 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a, an acquisition unit 16b, and an adjustment unit 16c.

  In order to generate a Doppler spectrum indicating the speed information along the time series of the moving object, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a is set at the position of the range gate when the range gate that is the extraction part of the speed information is set. Based on this, the transmission conditions and reception conditions of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe 1 are determined. Specifically, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a determines the aperture (transmission aperture) and the transmission delay time of the ultrasonic probe 1 used at the time of transmission as at least the transmission conditions. The transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a determines at least the aperture (reception aperture) and the reception delay time of the ultrasonic probe 1 used at the time of reception as reception conditions.

  Here, the relationship between the system noise level and the position (depth) of the range gate will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the system noise level. As shown in FIG. 5, the system noise level changes according to the position (depth) of the range gate. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the system noise level increases sequentially as the position of the range gate becomes deeper, and then approaches a constant value.

  As described above, the reception aperture determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a is small when the range gate is set at a shallow position with respect to the acoustic lens, and the range gate is at a position deep with respect to the acoustic lens. When set to, it becomes larger. That is, there is a one-to-one relationship between the position of the range gate and the receiving aperture. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the value of the system noise level is a value determined by the size of the receiving aperture having a one-to-one relationship with the position of the range gate. Therefore, the system noise level can be acquired by stopping the transmission of the ultrasonic wave and receiving the data with the diameter based on the reception condition if the reception diameter is determined under the reception condition.

  Therefore, the acquisition unit 16b illustrated in FIG. 4 discriminates the signal derived from the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave from the position of the range gate and the system noise of the own device after at least the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. To get the system noise level.

  Specifically, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level using the data received based on the reception condition determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a after stopping the ultrasonic transmission from the ultrasonic probe 1. To do.

  More specifically, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level after the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. Then, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a determines the transmission condition in parallel with the acquisition period of the system noise level by the acquisition unit 16b.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a and the acquisition unit 16b will be described as an example in which the position of the range gate illustrated in FIG. 6 is changed. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example in which the processing of the transmission / reception condition determination unit and the acquisition unit according to the present embodiment is executed.

  The specific example shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the operator changes the position of the range gate from the range gate a to the range gate b. In such a case, the Doppler spectrum displayed on the monitor 2 is switched from the Doppler spectrum A to the Doppler spectrum B. While the display is switched from the Doppler spectrum A to the Doppler spectrum B, no signal is displayed in a blank state. The section is displayed. Hereinafter, the blanked section is referred to as a blanking period.

  The blanking period is also a preparation period for generating and displaying the Doppler spectrum B at the range gate b. Conventionally, transmission conditions and reception conditions are determined in an arbitrary order during the blanking period. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing of the transmission / reception condition determination unit and the acquisition unit according to the present embodiment in the blanking period.

  However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a first receives a signal including a reception aperture in the blanking period with the setting of the range gate (setting of the range gate a2) as a trigger. Determine the conditions. And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the acquisition part 16b acquires a system noise level using the aperture for reception, and the transmission / reception condition determination part 16a is for transmission in parallel with acquisition of a system noise level. The transmission condition including the aperture is determined.

  That is, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a notifies the transmission / reception unit 11 of the determined reception condition. Then, the acquisition unit 16b stops the ultrasonic transmission from the ultrasonic probe 1 and then instructs the transmission / reception unit 11 to perform reception using the reception aperture of the ultrasonic probe 1. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 11 generates data for calculating the system noise level by adding the signals received at the reception aperture of the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the reception delay time. Then, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level using the data transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 11. For example, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level by performing FFT analysis on data corresponding to a predetermined number of scan lines in the data received from the transmission / reception unit 11.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the transmission / reception conditions and acquires the system noise level in the blanking period. Then, after the system noise level is acquired by the acquisition unit 16b, the adjustment unit 16c illustrated in FIG. 4 performs the range gate Doppler generated by the reflected wave signal (reflected wave data) identified using the system noise level. As display parameters for displaying the spectrum on the monitor 2, the gain value for determining the PRF, the position of the baseline, and the luminance of the Doppler spectrum is adjusted.

  That is, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a notifies the transmission / reception condition based on the position of the range gate set by the operator to the transmission / reception unit 11 shown in FIG. 1, and the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the transmission / reception condition notified from the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. Is used to control transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic probe 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the adjustment unit according to the present embodiment after the blanking period.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the blanking period ends, and the ultrasonic probe 1 starts transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves according to the set range gate. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the adjustment unit 16 c adjusts the display parameters using the timing when the operator presses the automatic adjustment button as a trigger timing.

  Then, the adjustment unit 16 c transmits the adjusted PRF to the transmission / reception unit 11. Then, under the control of the transmission / reception unit 11, the ultrasonic probe 1 transmits ultrasonic waves according to the PRF adjusted by the adjustment unit 16c and the transmission condition determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. Further, the ultrasonic probe 1 receives the ultrasonic wave according to the reception condition determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a under the control of the transmission / reception unit 11. Then, the image generation unit 14 generates a Doppler spectrum from the reflected wave data identified as a signal based on the system noise level. At this time, the image generation unit 14 generates a Doppler spectrum using the baseline position and the gain value adjusted by the adjustment unit 16c. The monitor 2 displays the adjusted Doppler spectrum under the control of the control unit 16.

  This embodiment is applicable even when the system noise level is acquired after the transmission / reception conditions are determined in the blanking period after the range gate is set. However, in order to immediately respond to the automatic adjustment request for the display parameters that the operator is supposed to perform after the range gate is set, in order to shorten the preparation period after the range gate is set, It is desirable to perform the system noise level acquisition process and the transmission condition determination process in parallel after the reception condition determination process.

  Next, processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether or not a B-mode scan start request has been received (step S101). If the B mode scan start request is not accepted (No at Step S101), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment enters a standby state. Note that the determination in step S101 may be a case where it is determined whether an M-mode scan start request has been accepted.

  On the other hand, when a B-mode scan start request is received (Yes in step S101), the ultrasound probe 1 starts a B-mode scan under the control of the control unit 16 via the transmission / reception unit 11. Thereby, the image generation unit 14 generates a B-mode image, and the monitor 2 displays the B-mode image generated by the image generation unit 14 under the control of the control unit 16 (step S102). Then, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether or not a color Doppler mode scan start request has been received (step S103). Here, when the scanning start request in the color Doppler mode is not accepted (No at Step S103), the monitor 2 returns to Step S102 and displays the newly generated B-mode image under the control of the control unit 16.

  On the other hand, when a scanning start request in the color Doppler mode is received (Yes in step S103), the ultrasound probe 1 starts scanning for color Doppler image generation under the control of the control unit 16 via the transmission / reception unit 11. Thereby, the image generation part 14 produces | generates a color Doppler image, and the monitor 2 displays the color Doppler image which the image generation part 14 produced | generated by control of the control part 16 (step S104). And the control part 16 determines whether the range gate for producing | generating a Doppler spectrum was set (step S105). If the range gate is not set (No at Step S105), the monitor 2 returns to Step S104 and displays the newly generated color Doppler image under the control of the control unit 16.

  On the other hand, when the range gate is set (Yes at Step S105), the transmission / reception condition determining unit 16a determines the reception condition based on the set position of the range gate (Step S106). And the acquisition part 16b acquires a system noise level using the data received with the piezoelectric vibrator of the receiving aperture determined as a receiving condition after stopping ultrasonic transmission from the ultrasonic probe 1, In parallel with the acquisition of the system noise level, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a determines the transmission condition based on the set position of the range gate (step S107).

  Thereafter, the ultrasound probe 1 starts scanning for Doppler spectrum generation under the control of the control unit 16 via the transmission / reception unit 11. Thereby, the image generation unit 14 generates a Doppler spectrum, and the monitor 2 displays the Doppler spectrum generated by the image generation unit 14 under the control of the control unit 16 (step S108).

  Then, the adjustment unit 16c determines whether or not the automatic adjustment button has been pressed by the operator who requests adjustment of the display parameter (step S109). If the automatic adjustment button is not pressed (No at Step S109), the monitor 2 returns to Step S108 to display the newly generated Doppler spectrum under the control of the control unit 16.

  On the other hand, when the automatic adjustment button is pressed (Yes at Step S109), the adjustment unit 16c starts adjusting the display parameters (Step S110). Then, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the adjustment of the display parameter by the adjustment unit 16c is finished (Step S111). Here, when the adjustment of the display parameter is not completed (No at Step S111), the control unit 16 waits without performing the next process until the adjustment of the display parameter is completed.

  On the other hand, when the adjustment of the display parameters is completed (Yes in step S111), the ultrasound probe 1 controls the PRF and the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a under the control of the transmission / reception unit 11 that has received the PRF adjusted by the adjustment unit 16c. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted according to the determined transmission conditions, and ultrasonic waves are received according to the reception conditions determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. Then, the image generation unit 14 uses the reflected wave data (the reflected wave data identified as the signal by the system noise level) generated by the transmission / reception unit 11 and the baseline position and gain value adjusted by the adjustment unit 16c. Then, a Doppler spectrum based on the display parameters is generated. The monitor 2 displays a Doppler spectrum based on the display parameters generated by the image generation unit 14 under the control of the control unit 16 (step S112).

  Subsequently, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the range gate has been changed by the operator (step S113). Here, when the range gate is changed (Yes at Step S113), the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment returns to Step S106, and performs a reception condition determination process by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a.

  On the other hand, when the range gate is not changed (No at Step S113), the control unit 16 determines whether or not a Doppler spectrum display end request is received (Step S114). Here, when the display end request for the Doppler spectrum is not accepted (No at Step S114), the monitor 2 returns to Step S112 under the control of the control unit 16, and the Doppler based on the display parameter newly generated by the image generation unit 14 is obtained. The spectrum is displayed, and the control unit 16 determines whether or not the range gate has been changed by the operator in step S113.

  On the other hand, when a display end request for Doppler spectrum is received (Yes at Step S114), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment ends the process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a sets the range gate that is the extraction part of the speed information in order to generate the Doppler spectrum indicating the speed information along the time series of the moving object. If so, the transmission conditions and reception conditions of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe are determined based on the position of the range gate. Specifically, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a determines the aperture and transmission delay time of the ultrasound probe 1 used at the time of transmission as at least a transmission condition, and the aperture and reception of the ultrasound probe 1 used at the time of reception as at least a reception condition. Determine the delay time.

  Here, the acquisition unit 16b identifies the signal derived from the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave from the position of the range gate and the system noise of the own device after at least the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a. Get the system noise level. Then, after the system noise level is acquired by the acquisition unit 16b, the adjustment unit 16c displays on the monitor 2 the Doppler spectrum of the range gate generated by the reflected wave signal identified using the system noise level. As the display parameters, the repetition frequency, the position of the baseline, and the gain value for determining the luminance of the Doppler spectrum are adjusted. Specifically, the adjustment unit 16c adjusts the display parameters when an adjustment request from the operator is received by pressing an automatic adjustment button of the input device 3.

  Conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, transmission / reception conditions are determined in a blanking period using a timing at which a range gate is set as a trigger, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the determined transmission / reception conditions. There was a transmission / reception. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional process performed in the blanking period and after the blanking period. As shown in FIG. 10, conventionally, the display parameter is adjusted after the system noise level is acquired with the timing when the operator presses the automatic adjustment button as a trigger timing.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the reception condition necessary for acquiring the system noise level is determined by setting the range gate as a trigger, and then the system noise level is acquired. Thereby, in this embodiment, the display parameter can be adjusted immediately by operating only the automatic adjustment function using the timing at which the operator presses the automatic adjustment button as the trigger timing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time required for displaying the Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe.

  In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 16b stops the ultrasonic transmission from the ultrasonic probe 1 and then uses the data received based on the reception condition determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a to use the system noise level. To get.

  Here, as a method for shortening the time required for displaying the Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe, a system noise level is acquired in advance for each reception aperture and stored in the apparatus main body 10. There is also a way to keep it. However, in this method, it is necessary to acquire a system noise level that varies depending on the reception aperture for each ultrasonic probe that can be connected to the apparatus main body 10, and the amount of data to be stored becomes enormous. In addition, the system noise level may change due to deterioration over time of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the apparatus main body 10. That is, the method of storing the system noise level as a preset is not practical.

  However, in the present embodiment, reflected waves from the living body are not generated by stopping the ultrasonic transmission while maintaining the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe 1 and the subject P at the time when the range gate is set. The system noise level can be acquired by entering the state. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to acquire an accurate system noise level under the current shooting conditions without holding a huge amount of system noise level data. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily generate a highly accurate Doppler spectrum.

  In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level after the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a, and the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a acquires the system noise level acquisition period by the acquisition unit 16b. In parallel, the transmission conditions are determined.

  That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the preparation period for generating and displaying the Doppler spectrum.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display parameter adjustment processing of the adjustment unit 16c is executed with the automatic adjustment button being pressed as a trigger has been described. However, the present embodiment may be a case where the display parameter adjustment processing of the adjustment unit 16c is executed by a trigger described in the following modification. That is, the adjustment unit 16c according to the modification adjusts the display parameter when a predetermined time (α) elapses after the range gate is set. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification according to the present embodiment.

  That is, also in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a first determines the reception condition including the aperture for reception in the blanking period with the setting of the range gate as a trigger. Also in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the acquisition unit 16b acquires the system noise level using the reception aperture, and in parallel with the acquisition of the system noise level, the transmission / reception condition determination unit 16a performs transmission. The transmission conditions including the diameter of the are determined.

  In the present modification, as shown in FIG. 11, the adjustment unit 16c adjusts the display parameter using a trigger time as a time when a predetermined time (α) has elapsed since the setting of the range gate. Also according to this modification, it is possible to reduce the time required for displaying the Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display parameter relating to the Doppler spectrum of the blood flow velocity is adjusted has been described. However, the present embodiment is applicable even when adjusting a display parameter related to a Doppler spectrum of a moving speed of a tissue (for example, myocardium).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time required for displaying the Doppler spectrum that is easy for the operator to observe.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Monitor 3 Input device 10 Apparatus main body 11 Transmission / reception part 12 B mode processing part 13 Doppler processing part 14 Image generation part 15 Image memory 16 Control part 16a Transmission / reception condition determination part 16b Acquisition part 16c Adjustment part 17 Internal storage part

Claims (5)

In order to generate a Doppler spectrum indicating the velocity information along the time series of the moving object, when a range gate that is an extraction part of the velocity information is set, an ultrasonic probe is applied based on the position of the range gate. A transmission / reception condition determination unit that determines transmission conditions and reception conditions of ultrasonic waves transmitted and received,
After at least the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit, a system noise level for identifying a signal derived from an ultrasonic wave reflected from the position of the range gate and a system noise of the own apparatus is acquired. An acquisition unit;
For displaying the Doppler spectrum of the range gate generated by the reflected wave signal identified using the system noise level after the system noise level is acquired by the acquisition unit on a predetermined display unit As a parameter, an adjustment unit that adjusts a gain value for determining a repetition frequency, a baseline position, and a Doppler spectrum brightness;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The acquisition unit acquires the system noise level using data received based on the reception condition determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit after stopping ultrasonic transmission from the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The acquisition unit acquires the system noise level after the reception condition is determined by the transmission / reception condition determination unit,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission / reception condition determination unit determines the transmission condition in parallel with an acquisition period of the system noise level by the acquisition unit.   The transmission / reception condition determining unit determines the aperture and transmission delay time of the ultrasonic probe used at the time of transmission as at least the transmission condition, and sets the aperture and reception delay time of the ultrasonic probe used at the time of reception as at least the reception condition. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is determined.   The adjustment unit adjusts the display parameter when receiving an adjustment request from an operator via a predetermined input unit, or when a predetermined time elapses after the range gate is set. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display parameters are adjusted.

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