JP2012223352A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide image information having excellent continuity and real time properties to a reception side unit connected via a wireless communication line.SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmission data division part 71 dividing the time-series image information obtained from a subject and generating a plurality of pieces of packet data; a transmitting IF 73 transmitting the packet data to the reception side unit via the wireless communication line 150; a reception data discrimination part 112 discriminating between first packet data received in a permission reception period and second packet data received in a non-permission reception period, based on a reception period of the packet data and the prescribed permission reception period; and a reception data composition part 114 newly generating third packet data corresponding to the second packet data based on the first packet data, and generating real time observing image data by composition between the obtained third packet data and the first packet data.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control program capable of transmitting image information obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject via a wireless communication line.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus radiates an ultrasonic pulse generated from a vibration element built in an ultrasonic probe into a subject, and receives an ultrasonic reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance of a living tissue by the vibration element. It collects various biological information. Recent ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of electronically controlling the transmission / reception direction and focal point of ultrasonic waves by controlling the delay time of drive signals supplied to a plurality of vibration elements and reception signals obtained from the vibration elements. Since real-time image data can be easily observed with a simple operation by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface, it is widely used for morphological diagnosis and functional diagnosis of living organs.

  Ultrasound diagnostic methods for obtaining biological information from reflected waves from tissues or blood cells in a living body have made rapid progress through the development of two major technologies, the ultrasonic pulse reflection method and the ultrasonic Doppler method. The B-mode image data and color Doppler image data to be used are indispensable in today's ultrasonic inspection.

  The arrangement of ultrasonic probes, the generation conditions of image data, the setting of display conditions, and the like in such an ultrasonic examination are referred to as a doctor or an inspector (hereinafter referred to as a medical worker) in a medical facility that has an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. ). However, if there are no medical personnel with sufficient examination experience or expertise in a small medical facility such as the home or clinic of the subject where the above-described ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is installed, a large medical facility in the center by remote diagnosis A method of receiving instructions from an ultrasound specialist belonging to the group has been proposed.

  For example, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables remote diagnosis is provided in the small medical facility described above, and has a function of generating time-series image data (moving image data) by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject and an obtained image. A transmission side unit having a function of supplying data to a large medical facility via a wired communication line or a wireless communication line, and a function of displaying image data provided from the above transmission side unit provided in the large medical facility. It has a receiving unit. Then, an ultrasound specialist at a large medical facility can arrange an ultrasonic probe suitable for the ultrasonic examination or image data while observing the image data supplied from the transmitting unit and displayed in real time on the display unit of the receiving unit. By giving instructions regarding the setting of various conditions using a separately installed communication line, it is possible to perform an accurate ultrasonic examination even in a small medical facility that does not have a specialist.

  In particular, by connecting the transmission side unit and the reception side unit provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a wireless communication line, for example, even when the transmission side unit is moved to the bedside of the subject, an ultrasonic specialist The image data can be easily supplied to the.

JP 2006-115986 A JP 2008-142150 A

  By connecting the transmission side unit and the reception side unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a wireless communication line, and displaying the time-series image data collected in the transmission side unit on the display unit of the reception side unit in real time, The specialist can easily give various instructions suitable for the ultrasonic examination.

  However, when supplying the above-mentioned time-series image data via a wireless communication line, an unacceptable delay occurs in the supply of image data to the receiving unit due to temporal fluctuations in the communication bandwidth of the wireless communication line. In such a case, there is a problem that it is difficult to observe image data with excellent continuity in real time.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide wireless communication when supplying time-series image information from a transmission-side unit to a reception-side unit connected via a wireless communication line. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control program capable of supplying image information with excellent continuity without being affected by the line status of a communication line.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transmission-side unit that generates time-series image information based on a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject, and a wireless An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a receiving unit that generates image data based on the image information supplied from the transmitting unit via a communication line, wherein the transmitting unit includes the time-series image Transmission data dividing means for dividing information into predetermined lengths to generate a plurality of time-series packet data, and receiving the packet data generated by the transmission data dividing means via the wireless communication line A transmission means for transmitting to the side unit, wherein the reception side unit sets in advance a reception period of the packet data supplied via the wireless communication line Received data discriminating means for discriminating between the first packet data received in the allowable reception period and the second packet data received in the non-permissible reception period based on a comparison result with the received allowable reception period; Generating new third packet data corresponding to the reception period of the second packet data based on the first packet data, and combining the obtained third packet data and the first packet data. The reception data composition means for generating image data for real-time observation that is excellent in real time and continuity by means of, and the reception data display means for displaying the real-time observation image data. Yes.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the transmission / reception part with which the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this embodiment is provided. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the received signal processing part with which the ultrasound diagnosing device of this embodiment is provided. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the data transmission part with which the ultrasound diagnosing device of this embodiment is provided, and a data receiving part. The time chart for demonstrating transmission / reception of the packet data in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the transmission / reception procedure of the packet data in this embodiment. The time chart for demonstrating transmission / reception of the packet data in the modification of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the transmission / reception procedure of the packet data in the modification of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device in the modification of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in the other modification of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in the other modification of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
The data transmission unit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment described below divides time-series image data (original image data) generated by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject into a plurality of packet data. And transmits these packet data to the data receiving unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via a wireless communication line composed of M channels. On the other hand, the data receiving unit described above is allowed based on a comparison result between each receiving period of the packet data supplied from the data transmitting unit via the wireless communication line by an alternate transmission method and a preset allowable receiving period. The packet data received outside the allowable reception period (non-permitted reception period) is discriminated by the packet data received with a relatively small transmission delay during the reception period and the significant transmission delay caused by the line condition of the wireless communication line. Packet data obtained by newly generating packet data in a period in which a significant transmission delay occurs (data loss period) by interpolation processing using packet data in the previous period and the subsequent period adjacent to the data loss period. Are combined with the packet data received in the above-described allowable reception period to generate time-series image data (real-time observation image data) excellent in continuity and real-time characteristics.

  In the following embodiment, a transmission provided in a first medical facility that generates time-series original image data based on a reception signal obtained from an ultrasound probe arranged in the vicinity of a region to be examined of a subject. A second medical facility that generates real-time observation image data and fine examination image data based on image information of the original image data supplied from the transmission unit via a side unit and a multi-channel wireless communication line; Although an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a receiving unit provided is described, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be provided in the same medical facility, The receiving-side unit may be a part of an image server, a workstation, or the like separately installed for the purpose of storing or analyzing various image data.

  Furthermore, the image information supplied from the transmission side unit to the reception side unit is not limited to image data, and is output from, for example, a plurality of channels of reception signals output from the ultrasonic probe or a transmission / reception unit. It may be a reception signal after phasing addition, or may be an image signal output in units of transmission / reception directions from the reception signal processing unit.

(Configuration and function of the device)
The configuration and functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. However, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show the transmission / reception unit, reception signal processing unit, and data transmission unit / data reception unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a specific structure.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a transmission side unit 151 provided in a first medical facility and a reception side unit 152 provided in a second medical facility. The receiving side unit 152 is connected via an M channel wireless communication line 150.

  The transmission-side unit 151 emits an ultrasonic pulse (transmission ultrasonic wave) to the examination region including the diagnosis target part of the subject, and electrically transmits the ultrasonic reflected wave (reception ultrasonic wave) obtained from the diagnosis target part. An ultrasonic probe 2 having a plurality of vibration elements to be converted into signals (reception signals), and driving pulses for radiating transmission ultrasonic waves to the inspection region are supplied to the vibration elements of the ultrasonic probe 2; Transmission / reception unit 3 for phasing and adding the reception signals of a plurality of channels obtained from the vibration element of the above, and reception signal processing for processing the reception signal after the phasing addition and generating B-mode data and color Doppler data as image signals Unit 4, an image data generation unit 5 that generates time-series image data (original image data) based on the above-described image signal obtained by ultrasonic scanning of the examination region, and the obtained original image data And a display unit 6 for displaying the data.

  Further, the transmission side unit 151 includes a data transmission unit 7 that sequentially transmits the original image data generated in time series in the image data generation unit 5 to the reception side unit 152 in units of packets, input of subject information, An input unit 8 for selecting a shooting mode, setting image data generation conditions, inputting various instruction signals, and the like, and a transmission unit control unit 9 for comprehensively controlling each unit of the transmission side unit 151 are provided. .

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration and functions of the unit included in the transmission-side unit 151 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 will be described in more detail.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 shown in FIG. 1 has N vibrating elements (not shown) at its distal end, and each of these vibrating elements is connected to an input / output terminal of the transmission / reception unit 3 via an N-channel multicore cable. It is connected. The vibration element is an electroacoustic transducer, which converts electrical pulses (drive pulses) into ultrasonic pulses (transmitted ultrasonic waves) during transmission, and converts reflected ultrasonic waves (received ultrasonic waves) into electrical received signals during reception. It has a function to do.

  In the following, the case where the ultrasonic probe 2 corresponding to the sector scanning method is used and N vibration elements provided in the ultrasonic probe 2 are used as the transmission vibration element and the reception vibration element will be described. An ultrasonic probe to which a scanning method, a convex scanning method, or the like is applied may be used. That is, in the present embodiment, each of the N transmitting vibration elements is driven by an N-channel driving pulse supplied from the transmission / reception unit 3 to emit a transmission ultrasonic wave into the subject, and the transmission ultrasonic wave Received ultrasonic waves obtained from within the subject are converted into N-channel electrical received signals by N receiving vibration elements.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a transmission unit 31 that supplies a driving pulse including an N channel for radiating transmission ultrasonic waves to the subject to the transmission vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 2; A receiving unit 32 is provided for phasing and adding N-channel received signals obtained from the receiving vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 2 (adding and synthesizing the received signals corresponding to the received ultrasonic waves from a predetermined direction). Yes.

  The transmission unit 31 includes a transmission delay setting unit 311, a drive control signal generation unit 312, and a drive pulse generation unit 313, and the transmission delay setting unit 311 transmits transmission ultrasonic waves according to the scanning control signal supplied from the transmission unit control unit 9. A transmission delay time is set based on a deflection delay time for deflecting the light beam in a predetermined direction and a focusing delay time for focusing at a predetermined distance. In this case, the transmission delay time is uniquely determined by the number N of transmission vibration elements, the arrangement interval of the vibration elements, the transmission direction, the transmission focal length, and the like. For example, the transmission delay time may be calculated using an arithmetic circuit (not shown). A variety of delay time data stored in advance as a lookup table may be selected and used.

  On the other hand, the drive control signal generation unit 312 generates a drive control signal composed of N channels based on the transmission delay time setting information supplied from the transmission delay setting unit 311 and supplies the drive control signal to the drive pulse generation unit 313.

  The drive pulse generator 313 has a function of driving the N transmitting vibration elements incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 2 and, for example, the drive control signal having the focusing delay time and the deflection delay time described above. Based on the above, a drive pulse corresponding to each of the B mode and the color Doppler mode is generated.

  Next, the reception unit 32 of the transmission / reception unit 3 includes an N-channel preamplifier 321 and an A / D converter 322 corresponding to each of the reception vibration elements provided in the ultrasonic probe 2, and a phasing addition unit 323. ing. The preamplifier 321 is for amplifying the reception signal supplied from the reception vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 2 to ensure a sufficient S / N. A limiter circuit is provided for protecting the preamplifier 321 from a large-amplitude driving pulse generated by the unit 313. The N-channel received signal obtained by the receiving vibration element is amplified to a predetermined magnitude by the preamplifier 321, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 322, and then supplied to the phasing adder 323. Is done.

  On the other hand, the phasing addition unit 323 has a reception delay setting unit and an addition unit (not shown), and the reception delay setting unit has a predetermined direction with respect to the N-channel reception signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 322. A reception delay time is set based on a deflection delay time for setting a strong reception directivity and a focusing delay time for focusing a reception ultrasonic wave from a predetermined depth. The adder adds and synthesizes (phased addition) the received signals of the N channels given the reception delay time.

  Next, the specific configuration of the received signal processing unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The reception signal processing unit 4 includes a B-mode data generation unit 41 that processes the reception signal after the phasing addition output from the phasing addition unit 323 of the reception unit 32 to generate B-mode data, and the reception signal Is provided with a color Doppler data generation unit 42 for generating color Doppler data.

  The B-mode data generation unit 41 includes an envelope detector 411 that performs envelope detection on each of the reception signals output from the phasing addition unit 323, and a small signal by logarithmic conversion processing on the reception signal after envelope detection. A logarithmic converter 412 that generates B-mode data with relatively emphasized amplitude is provided.

  On the other hand, the color Doppler data generation unit 42 includes a π / 2 phase shifter 421, mixers 422-1 and 422-2, and LPFs (low-pass filters) 423-1 and 423-2. The reception signal output from the adder 323 is subjected to quadrature detection to generate a complex signal (I signal and Q signal).

  Further, the color Doppler data generation unit 42 includes a Doppler signal storage unit 424, an MTI filter 425, and an autocorrelation calculator 426, and a complex signal obtained by quadrature detection is temporarily stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 424. On the other hand, the MTI filter 425, which is a high-pass digital filter, reads the above-described complex signal stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 424, and performs the respiratory movement of the organ's fixed reflector or organ contained in the complex signal. A Doppler component (clutter component) caused by pulsatile movement or the like is removed. Then, the autocorrelation calculator 426 calculates an autocorrelation value for the Doppler component of the blood flow information extracted by the MTI filter 425, and further, based on the autocorrelation value, an average blood flow velocity value and a variance value The color value Doppler data is generated by calculating the power value and the like.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image data generation unit 5 includes a B-mode image data generation unit and a color Doppler image data generation unit (not shown), and the B-mode image data generation unit is a B-mode data generation unit of the reception signal processing unit 4. The B-mode image data is generated by sequentially storing the B-mode data generated by 41 in correspondence with the transmission / reception direction of the ultrasonic waves. Similarly, the color Doppler image data generation unit generates color Doppler image data by sequentially storing the color Doppler data generated by the color Doppler data generation unit 42 of the reception signal processing unit 4 in units of ultrasonic transmission / reception directions.

  In the following, the above-described B-mode image data and color Doppler image data are referred to as original image data.

  The display unit 6 includes a display data generation unit, a data conversion unit, and a monitor (not shown). The display data generation unit converts the time-series original image data generated by the image data generation unit 5 into a predetermined display format. The display data is generated, and the data converter performs a conversion process such as D / A conversion or television format conversion on the display data supplied from the display data generator and displays the display data on the monitor.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the data transmission unit 7 has the original image data supplied in time series from the image data generation unit 5 as a plurality of image frames (hereinafter referred to as frames). A transmission data division unit 71 that divides the packet data, an M-channel transmission data storage unit 72 that temporarily stores the divided packet data by adding identification information corresponding to the arrangement order thereof, and a transmission data storage unit 72 IF (interface) 73 for outputting the above-mentioned packet data read out from the M channel to the wireless communication line 150, the data transmission method selection information supplied from the input unit 8, and the line state of the wireless communication line 150 (for example, Transmission control section 74 for controlling transmission data division section 71, transmission data storage section 72, and transmission IF 73 based on (communication bandwidth) etc. It is provided. A specific operation procedure of the unit provided in the data transmission unit 7 will be described later.

  Next, the input unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 includes input devices such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a selection button, and an input button on the operation panel, and inputs subject information and selects an ultrasound probe. , Shooting mode selection, image data generation condition setting, image data display condition setting, wireless communication line number M setting, packet length (number of frames in packet data) setting, data transmission method selection, various command signals Perform input etc. The imaging mode includes a B mode and a color Doppler mode, and the image data generation conditions include an ultrasonic frequency, a scanning density, a scanning region, an ultrasonic transmission / reception repetition frequency (rate frequency), a frame frequency, and the like. As a data transmission method, there are an alternate transmission method and a parallel transmission method performed in units of packets for the M channel wireless communication line 150.

  The transmission unit control unit 9 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and various information input / set / selected by the input unit 8 is stored in the storage circuit. On the other hand, the CPU comprehensively controls each unit described above provided in the transmission side unit 151 and each unit described later provided in the reception side unit 152 based on various information stored in the storage circuit, Ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to the subject, generation of time-series original image data based on reception signals obtained by the ultrasonic transmission / reception, and transmission / reception of the original image data using the M channel wireless communication line 150 Let it run.

  Next, the receiving side unit 152 shown in FIG. 1 performs a combining process that applies data interpolation to the packet data supplied from the data transmitting unit 7 of the transmitting side unit 151 via the M channel wireless communication line 150. Thus, original image data is obtained by performing composition processing by applying data insertion to the packet data and time-series image data excellent in real time and continuity (hereinafter referred to as real-time observation image data). And a data reception unit 11 that generates time-series image data (hereinafter referred to as fine inspection image data) having image information equivalent to that of the display unit 6 and a display unit 6 of the transmission-side unit 151. Image data for real-time observation output from the data reception unit 11 and image data for close inspection read out from the reception data storage unit 13 described later. The reception data display unit 12 for displaying the data, the reception data storage unit 13 that has a large-capacity storage medium and that stores the image data for detailed inspection generated in the data reception unit 11, and each of the above-described units included in the reception-side unit 152 A receiving unit controller 14 for controlling the unit is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the data receiving unit 11 provided in the receiving unit 152 includes a receiving IF (interface) 111, a received data discriminating unit 112, a received data storage unit 113, a received data combining unit 114, and The reception IF 111 includes a reception control unit 115 and receives packet data supplied from the data transmission unit 7 of the transmission side unit 151 via the M-channel wireless communication line 150.

  On the other hand, the reception data discrimination unit 112 measures a period until each of the time-series original image data generated by the image data generation unit 5 is received as packet data by the reception IF 111 described above. And a wireless communication with packet data (first packet data) received in a predetermined allowable reception period from packet data sequentially received by the reception IF 111 based on a measurement result of the reception period measurement unit. Packet data (second packet data) received in a period (non-permitted reception period) that is not allowed due to a transmission delay caused by the line state of the line 150 is discriminated. The packet data of the allowable reception period discriminated by the reception data discrimination unit 112 is stored in the first data storage area provided in the reception data storage unit 113, and the packet data of the non-permissible reception period is stored in the second data storage. Saved in the area.

  The reception data combining unit 114 combines the packet data read from the first data storage area of the reception data storage unit 113 based on the identification information corresponding to the arrangement order of the packet data, which is the accompanying information, in time series. Real-time observation image data is generated, and further, the packet data read from the first data storage area and the second data storage area of the reception data storage unit 113 are combined based on the identification information, and time series Image data for detailed inspection is generated.

  Specifically, the continuity of the packet data read from the first data storage area is determined based on the above identification information. When a data loss period occurs in a series of packet data read from the first data storage area due to reception of packet data in the non-permissible reception period, the packet data of the previous period adjacent to this data loss period and Packet data (third packet data) in the data loss period is newly generated by interpolation processing using the packet data. Next, by adding the packet data of the obtained data loss period to the above-mentioned packet data read from the first data storage area, it generates time-series real-time observation image data excellent in real time and continuity. To do. The obtained real-time observation image data is displayed on the reception data display unit 12 of the reception side unit 152 in substantially real time.

  Furthermore, the reception data combining unit 114, when receiving a packet data in the non-permissible reception period, causes a series of packet data read from the first data storage area to have a data loss period, By inserting the packet data of the data loss period read from the data storage area of 2 into the time-series packet data read from the first data storage area, the time-series data having the same image information as the original image data is inserted. Image data for precise inspection is generated. The obtained detailed inspection image data is stored in the reception data storage unit 13 of the receiving unit 152, and this detailed inspection image data is read from the reception data storage unit 13 as necessary. It is displayed on the received data display unit 12.

(Packet data transmission / reception procedure via wireless communication line)
Next, a packet data transmission / reception procedure by an alternate transmission method using a plurality of channels of wireless communication lines will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. 5 and the flowchart of FIG. However, in the following, a plurality of packet data are generated by dividing the time-series original image data generated in the image data generation unit 5 of the transmission-side unit 151 in units of frames, and these packet data are divided into two channels ( A case where data is transmitted to the receiving unit 152 using the wireless communication lines 150a and 150b with M = 2) will be described. For the sake of simplicity, time-series original image data having frames 1 to 5 will be described. Actual original image data is composed of an extremely large number of frames.

  FIG. 5 shows a case in which the packet data of frames 1 to 5 constituting the time-series original image data generated in the image data generation unit 5 of the transmission side unit 151 is supplied to the reception side unit 152 by the alternate transmission method. FIG. 5A shows a time chart. FIG. 5A shows a generation period of frames 1 to 5 constituting the time-series original image data generated by the image data generation unit 5, and FIG. ) And FIG. 5 (c) show packet data output periods and transmissions of frame 1, frame 3 and frame 5 output from the transmission IF 73a of the data transmission unit 7 to the first wireless communication line 150a by application of the alternate transmission method. The packet data output periods of frame 2 and frame 4 output from the trusted IF 73b to the second wireless communication line 150b are shown. However, the transmission IF 73a described above is a transmission interface corresponding to the first wireless communication line 150a, and the transmission IF 73b is a transmission interface corresponding to the second wireless communication line 150b.

  That is, the transmission data dividing unit 71 of the data transmitting unit 7 sets the time-series original image data supplied from the image data generating unit 5 to the packet length setting information supplied from the input unit 8 via the transmission control unit 74. To generate a plurality of packet data configured in units of frames as shown in FIG. 5A (step S1 in FIG. 6), and similarly, from the input unit 8 via the transmission control unit 74. The first buffer area corresponding to the first wireless communication line 150a provided in the transmission data storage unit 72 and the second wireless communication line 150b are supplied with the packet data described above based on the selection information of the alternating transmission method supplied in this way. Are alternately stored in the second buffer area corresponding to (step S2 in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, the transmission IF 73a corresponding to the first wireless communication line 150a is generated by the image data generation unit 5 and temporarily stored in the first buffer area of the transmission data storage unit 72, as shown in FIG. 5B. Packet data of frame 1 of generation period [t1-t2], frame 3 of generation period [t3-t4], and frame 5 of generation period [t5-t6] are sequentially read and output to first wireless communication line 150a. As shown in FIG. 5 (c), the transmission IF 73b is generated by the image data generation unit 5 and temporarily stored in the second buffer area of the transmission data storage unit 72 in the frame 2 of the generation period [t2-t3]. The packet data of frame 4 in the generation period [t4-t5] is sequentially read and output to the second wireless communication line 150b (step S3 in FIG. 6).

  Next, FIG. 5D and FIG. 5E show the above-described case where the data is received from the transmission IF 73a of the data transmission unit 7 via the first wireless communication line 150a and received by the reception IF 111a of the data reception unit 11. Packet data reception period of frame 1, frame 3 and frame 5, and a frame supplied from the transmission IF 73b of the data transmission unit 7 via the second wireless communication line 150b and received by the reception IF 111b of the data reception unit 11 2 and 4 show the packet data reception periods. FIG. 5 (f) shows that the received data combining unit 114 performs the above-described packet data of frame 1, frame 3 and frame 5, and packet data of frame 2 and frame 4. The generation period of the image data for real-time observation generated based on is shown.

  However, the broken lines shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E indicate the allowable reception period [t11-t21] for frame 1, the allowable reception period [t21-t31] for frame 2, and the allowable reception period for frame 3 [ t31-t41], allowable reception period [t41-t51] of frame 4 and allowable reception period [t51-t61] of frame 5 are shown; period [t1-t11], period [t2-t21], period [t3 −t31]... Indicates the transmission delay Δτ of the wireless communication line 150 during normal operation. The allowable reception period is set in advance based on the transmission delay Δτ of the first wireless communication line 150a and the second wireless communication line 150b. The reception IF 111a is a reception interface corresponding to the first wireless communication line 150a, and the reception IF 111b is a reception interface corresponding to the second wireless communication line 150b.

  Reception of the data receiving unit 11 that has received the packet data supplied from the first wireless communication line 150a and the second wireless communication line 150b having such a transmission delay via the reception IF 111a and the reception IF 111b. The data discriminating unit 112 receives the packet data (first packet data) of the frame 1 to the frame 3 and the frame 5 received in the allowable reception period from the packet data of the frame 1 to the frame 5 and the outside of the allowable reception period (non-permitted) The packet data (second packet data) of the frame 4 received in the reception period) is discriminated. Then, the packet data of frames 1 to 3 and frame 5 received in the allowable reception period are stored in the first data storage area provided in the reception data storage unit 113, and the frame 4 received in the non-permissible reception period is stored. Are stored in the second data storage area (step S4 in FIG. 6).

  Next, the reception data combining unit 114 of the data reception unit 11 determines the continuity of the packet data read from the first data storage area of the reception data storage unit 113 based on the identification information corresponding to the arrangement order (FIG. 6 step S5). If a data loss period [t41-t51] exists in a series of packet data read from the first data storage area by reception of packet data in the non-permissible reception period, this data loss period [t41-t51] Data in the data loss period [t41-t51] by interpolation using the packet data (frame 3) of the previous period [t31-t41] and the packet data (frame 5) of the subsequent period [t51-t61] adjacent to Frame X = third packet data) is generated (step S6 in FIG. 6).

  Then, the newly generated packet data of frame X and the packet data of frames 1 to 3 and frame 5 read from the first data storage area are combined based on the identification information added to each packet data. Thus, time-series real-time observation image data excellent in real-time property and continuity is generated (step S7 in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, when the existence of the data loss period is not recognized in the packet data continuity determination in step 5 described above, the reception data combining unit 114 reads the frames 1 to 1 read from the first storage area of the reception data storage unit 113. By synthesizing the packet data of the frame 5, real-time observation image data having the above-described performance is generated (step S7 in FIG. 6). The obtained real-time observation image data is displayed on the reception data display unit 12 in substantially real time (step S8 in FIG. 6).

  Note that Δτx shown in FIG. 5 is from the generation time of the original image data in the image data generation unit 5 of the transmission side unit 151 to the generation time of the real time observation image data in the reception data synthesis unit 114 of the reception side unit 152. The delay time is shown, and this delay time corresponding to the image data generation time for several frames is a small value allowed in real-time observation of a moving image. That is, the time-series image data generated by the reception data combining unit 114 can be displayed on the reception data display unit 12 as real-time observation image data having excellent real-time characteristics and continuity.

(Modification)
Next, as a modification of the present embodiment, a packet data transmission / reception procedure by a parallel transmission method using a radio communication line of a plurality of channels will be described with reference to a time chart of FIG. 7 and a flowchart of FIG. However, also here, a plurality of packet data is generated by dividing the time-series original image data having the frames 1 to 5 generated in the image data generation unit 5 of the transmission-side unit 151 in units of frames. A case will be described in which packet data is transmitted to the reception-side unit 152 using the two-channel (M = 2) wireless communication lines 150a and 150b.

  FIG. 7 supplies the packet data of frames 1 to 5 constituting the time-series original image data generated in the image data generation unit 5 of the transmission side unit 151 to the reception side unit 152 by applying the parallel transmission method. FIG. 7A shows a generation period of frames 1 to 5 constituting the original image data generated by the image data generation unit 5, and FIG. 7B and FIG. (C) shows the packet data output period of the frames 1a to 5a output from the transmission IF 73a of the data transmission unit 7 to the first wireless communication line 150a and the second wireless communication from the transmission IF 73b by applying the parallel transmission method. Packet data output periods of frames 1b to 5b output to the communication line 150b are shown. However, the frame 1a and the frame 1b described above have the same image information as the frame 1, and similarly, the frame na and the frame nb (n = 2 to 5) are the same as the frame n (n = 2 to 5). Have the same image information.

  That is, the transmission data division unit 71 of the data transmission unit 7 is supplied with time-series original image data supplied from the image data generation unit 5 from the input unit 8 via the transmission control unit 74 of the data transmission unit 7. A plurality of packet data configured in units of frames as shown in FIG. 7A is generated by dividing based on the packet length setting information (step S11 in FIG. 8), and transmitted from the input unit 8 in the same manner. A first buffer corresponding to the first radio communication line 150 a provided in the transmission data storage unit 72 for packet data of the frames 1 to 5 based on the selection information of the parallel transmission method supplied via the control unit 74. The frame 1a to frame 5a and the frame 1b to frame 5b are stored in parallel in the area and the second buffer area corresponding to the second wireless communication line 150b (see FIG. Step S12 of).

  On the other hand, the transmission IF 73a corresponding to the first wireless communication line 150a is generated by the image data generation unit 5 and temporarily stored in the first buffer area of the transmission data storage unit 72 as shown in FIG. 7B. The packet data of the frames 1a to 5a are sequentially read out and output to the first wireless communication line 150a, and the transmission IF 73b is generated by the image data generation unit 5 as shown in FIG. The packet data of the frames 1b to 5b once stored in the second buffer area of the unit 72 are sequentially read and output to the second wireless communication line 150b (step S13 in FIG. 8).

  Next, FIG. 7D and FIG. 7E show the frames supplied from the transmission IF 73a of the data transmission unit 7 through the first wireless communication line 150a and received by the reception IF 111a of the data reception unit 11. The packet data reception period of 1a to 5a and the frames 1b to 5b received from the transmission IF 73b of the data transmission unit 7 via the second wireless communication line 150b and received by the reception IF 111b of the data reception unit 11 The packet data reception period is shown. FIG. 7F shows the frames 1a to 5a supplied from the reception IF 111a by the reception data combining unit 114 and the frames supplied from the reception IF 111b as supplementary packet data. Indicates the generation period of real-time observation image data generated based on 1b to 5b. There.

  However, the broken lines shown in FIG. 7D and FIG. 7E indicate the allowable reception periods of the frames 1a to 5a and the frames 1b to 5b as in the case of FIG. Δτ indicates the transmission delay Δτ of the wireless communication line 150 during normal operation, and the above-described allowable reception period is based on the transmission delay Δτ in the first wireless communication line 150a and the second wireless communication line 150b. Are preset.

  Reception of the data receiving unit 11 that has received the packet data supplied from the first wireless communication line 150a and the second wireless communication line 150b having such a transmission delay via the reception IF 111a and the reception IF 111b. For example, the data discriminating unit 112 receives the packet data (first packet data) received during the above-described allowable reception period from the packet data of the frames 1a to 5a supplied from the reception IF 111a and out of the allowable reception period ( By discriminating the packet data (second packet data) received in the non-permitted reception period), the data loss period in the packet data of the frames 1a to 5a is detected (step S14 and step S15 in FIG. 8).

  For example, when the period [t41-t51] is detected as the data loss period, the reception data combining unit 114 selects the data loss period [1] from the packet data of the frames 1b to 5b supplied from the reception IF 111b. The packet data of the frame 4b at t41-t51] is extracted as supplementary packet data (third packet data) (step S16 in FIG. 8).

  Next, the reception data synthesis unit 114 adds the packet data of the frames 1a to 3a and 5a received in the allowable reception period and the packet data of the frame 4b extracted as supplementary packet data to each packet data. By synthesizing based on the identification information, time-series real-time observation image data having the same image information as the original image data is generated (step S17 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when the data loss period is not detected in step 15 described above, the reception data combining unit 114 has the above-described performance by combining the packet data of the frames 1a to 5a supplied from the reception IF 111a. Real-time observation image data is generated (step S17 in FIG. 8). The obtained real-time observation image data is displayed on the reception data display unit 12 in substantially real time (step S18 in FIG. 8).

  According to the present embodiment described above, time-series original image data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject is divided into a plurality of packet data and received from a transmission-side unit via a plurality of channels of wireless communication lines. When supplying to the side unit, packet data in a data loss period incapable of reception in a preset allowable reception period is newly generated using packet data in the previous period and the subsequent period adjacent to the data loss period. As a result, it is possible to generate time-series real-time observation image data excellent in real time and continuity without being affected by the communication status of the wireless communication line.

  In this case, since the delay from the generation of the original image data to the generation of the real-time observation image data can be suppressed within a few frames, the above-described real-time observation image data is observed on the display unit in substantially real time. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to the present embodiment to which the alternate transmission method is applied, the packet data received in the allowable reception period and the packet data received in the non-permissible reception period are based on the incidental information corresponding to the arrangement order of the packet data. By synthesizing, it is possible to generate image data for time-sequential precision inspection that has no missing image information and is excellent in continuity.

  On the other hand, according to the modification of the present embodiment to which the parallel transmission method is applied, the time-series original image data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to the subject is divided into a plurality of packet data, and a plurality of channel wireless communication lines When data is supplied from the transmitting unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the receiving unit via the packet, the packet data in the data loss period that cannot be received in the preset allowable receiving period is received on another channel in the same period. Wirelessly communicates time-sequential real-time observation image data and precision inspection image data that have the same image information as the original image data and have excellent real-time performance and continuity. It can be generated without being affected by the line status of the line.

  In particular, the replenishment of the packet data during the data loss period can be performed without waiting for the reception of the packet data after the data loss period, so that the generation of the image data for real-time observation from the generation of the original image data can be performed. It is possible to further shorten the delay until the above-described embodiment.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this indication and its modification were described, this indication is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and its modification, and it can change and implement it further. For example, in the above-described embodiment and its modification, the first medical facility that generates time-series original image data based on a reception signal obtained from the ultrasound probe 2 disposed in the vicinity of the examination target site of the subject. Real-time observation image data and fine inspection image data based on image information of the original image data supplied from the transmission-side unit 151 and the transmission-side unit 151 via a plurality of channels of wireless communication lines 150. Although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 including the reception-side unit 152 provided in the second medical facility that generates the above is described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transmission-side unit 151 and the reception-side unit 152 include The receiving unit 152 may be installed separately for the purpose of storing and analyzing various image data. A part of the image server or a workstation or the like which is may be.

  Furthermore, the image information supplied from the transmission side unit 151 to the reception side unit 152 is not limited to image data (original image data), and is output from, for example, the ultrasonic probe 2 as shown in FIG. It may be a reception signal of a plurality of channels or a reception signal after phasing addition output from the reception unit 32 of the transmission / reception unit 3 as shown in FIG. 10, and is output from the reception signal processing unit 4 as shown in FIG. It may be an image signal in the transmission / reception direction unit.

  Further, the case where each piece of packet data supplied to the receiving unit 152 via the multi-channel wireless communication line 150 is image information for one frame has been described. Each may include image information for a plurality of frames.

  Furthermore, although the case where image information of time-series original image data is transmitted / received using a two-channel wireless communication line has been described, transmission / reception using a three-channel or more wireless communication line may be used.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the sector scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 has been described. However, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus corresponding to a linear scanning method, a convex scanning method, or the like may be used. Further, the case where the original image data based on the B mode data and color Doppler data generated in the transmission side unit 151 is divided into a plurality of packet data and transmitted to the reception side unit 152 has been described. The image information supplied in this way is not limited to these, and may be image information based on Doppler spectrum data, M-mode data, or the like.

  Also, a case has been described where packet data in the data loss period is newly generated using packet data in the previous period and the subsequent period adjacent to the data loss period. The packet data in the data loss period may be generated using these.

  Further, when generating the image data for fine inspection, the packet data based on the original image data generated in the image data generating unit 5 is supplied again from the data transmitting unit 7 to the data receiving unit 11 of the receiving unit 152 to obtain the data. Packet data in the missing period may be generated. In particular, when the frame rate of the original image data is larger than the frame rate of the image data for detailed inspection generated in the data receiving unit 11 of the receiving unit 152, packet data based on the remaining original image data (that is, regular packet data) The packet data in the data loss period may be generated by supplying packet data of original image data not used in transmission / reception to the data receiving unit 11 later.

  Note that a part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses 100 to 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the modifications thereof can be realized by using a computer as hardware. For example, the transmission unit control unit 9 and the like can realize various functions by causing a processor such as a CPU mounted on the above-described computer to execute a predetermined control program. In this case, the transmission unit control unit 9 or the like may install the above-described control program in the computer in advance, or may be stored in a storage medium readable by the computer or distributed to the computer via the network. You can install it.

  As mentioned above, although some embodiment of this invention and its deformation | transformation were demonstrated, these embodiment and deformation | transformation were shown as an example and are not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Ultrasonic probe 3 ... Transmission / reception part 31 ... Transmission part 32 ... Reception part 4 ... Reception signal processing part 5 ... Image data generation part 6 ... Display part 7 ... Data transmission part 71 ... Transmission data division part 72 ... Transmission data storage part 73 ... IF for transmission
74 ... Transmission control unit 8 ... Input unit 9 ... Transmission unit control unit 11 ... Data reception unit 111 ... Reception IF
112 ... Received data discriminating unit 113 ... Received data storage unit 114 ... Received data combining unit 115 ... Received control unit 12 ... Received data display unit 13 ... Received data storage unit 14 ... Received unit control unit 150 ... Wireless communication line 151 ... Sending side Unit 152 ... receiving side unit 100, 200, 300, 400 ... ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (12)

A transmission-side unit that generates time-series image information based on a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject, and an image based on the image information supplied from the transmission-side unit via a wireless communication line An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a receiving unit that generates data,
The transmitting unit is:
Transmission data dividing means for generating a plurality of time-series packet data by dividing the time-series image information into a predetermined length;
A transmission means for transmitting the packet data generated by the transmission data dividing means to the receiving unit via the wireless communication line;
The receiving unit is:
In the first packet data received in the allowable reception period and the non-permissible reception period based on a comparison result between the reception period of the packet data supplied via the wireless communication line and a preset allowable reception period Received data discrimination means for discriminating received second packet data;
Third packet data corresponding to the reception period of the second packet data is newly generated based on the first packet data, and the obtained third packet data and the first packet data are combined. Received data synthesizing means for generating time-series real-time observation image data excellent in real time and continuity by,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: received data display means for displaying the real-time observation image data.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit alternately transmits the time-series packet data to the reception-side unit via the wireless communication line including a plurality of channels.   The received data synthesizing unit converts the third packet data based on the first packet data received in at least one of the previous period and the subsequent period adjacent to the reception period of the second packet data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is generated.   The received data synthesizing unit generates the third packet data by an interpolation process using the first packet data received in the previous period and the subsequent period adjacent to the reception period of the second packet data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.   The received data synthesizing unit generates the time-series precise inspection image data excellent in continuity without missing image information by synthesizing the first packet data and the second packet data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, which is characterized. A transmission-side unit that generates time-series image information based on a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject, and an image based on the image information supplied from the transmission-side unit via a wireless communication line An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a receiving unit that generates data,
The transmitting unit is:
Transmission data dividing means for generating a plurality of time-series packet data by dividing the time-series image information into a predetermined length;
The packet data generated by the transmission data dividing means comprises transmission means for transmitting in parallel to the receiving side unit via a wireless communication line consisting of a plurality of channels,
The receiving unit is:
Received in the allowable reception period based on a comparison result between a reception period of packet data supplied via a wireless communication line selected from the wireless communication lines composed of the plurality of channels and a preset allowable reception period Received data discrimination means for discriminating between the first packet data and the second packet data received in the non-permissible reception period;
The third packet data corresponding to the reception period of the second packet data is generated using the packet data supplied via another wireless communication line and received in the allowable reception period, and the obtained third data Receiving data synthesizing means for synthesizing the packet data of 3 and the first packet data so as to generate image data having no real-time property and continuity without missing image information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: received data display means for displaying the image data.   Receiving data storage means, and there is no missing image information generated by the received data synthesizing means and there is no continuity of the time-series image data for precise inspection or image information missing in real time and continuity The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the excellent time-series image data is stored by the received data storage unit.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission data dividing unit generates the plurality of packet data by dividing the time-series image information in frame units of image data. .   7. The transmitting unit is installed in a home of the subject or a small medical facility, and the receiving unit is installed in a large medical facility having an ultrasound specialist or the like. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in 1.   The image information is output from a reception signal of a plurality of channels output from an ultrasonic probe, a reception signal after phasing addition output from a transmission / reception unit, an image signal output from a reception signal processing unit, or an image data generation unit. 7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is original image data. A transmission-side unit that generates time-series image information based on a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject, and an image based on the image information supplied from the transmission-side unit via a wireless communication line For an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a receiving unit that generates data,
A division function for dividing the time-series image information into predetermined lengths to generate a plurality of time-series packet data;
A transmission function for transmitting the packet data to the receiving unit via the wireless communication line;
In the first packet data received in the allowable reception period and the non-permissible reception period based on a comparison result between the reception period of the packet data supplied via the wireless communication line and a preset allowable reception period A discrimination function for discriminating received second packet data;
Third packet data corresponding to the reception period of the second packet data is newly generated based on the first packet data, and the obtained third packet data and the first packet data are combined. By combining the function to generate real-time image data for real-time observation with excellent real-time and continuity,
A control program for executing a display function for displaying the real-time observation image data. A transmission-side unit that generates time-series image information based on a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to a subject, and an image based on the image information supplied from the transmission-side unit via a wireless communication line For an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a receiving unit that generates data,
A division function for dividing the time-series image information into predetermined lengths to generate a plurality of time-series packet data;
A transmission function for transmitting the packet data in parallel to the receiving unit via a wireless communication line composed of a plurality of channels;
Received in the allowable reception period based on a comparison result between a reception period of packet data supplied via a wireless communication line selected from the wireless communication lines composed of the plurality of channels and a preset allowable reception period A discrimination function for discriminating between the first packet data and the second packet data received in the non-permissible reception period;
The third packet data corresponding to the reception period of the second packet data is generated using the packet data supplied via another wireless communication line and received in the allowable reception period, and the obtained third data A combining function for generating image data excellent in real-time property and continuity by combining three packet data with the first packet data,
A control program for executing a display function for displaying the image data.

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