JP2013146454A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of reducing a burden of an operator.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe 10 having a transducer 11 for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave with respect to a test object P, and a swinging part 12 for swinging the transducer 11; a transmission/reception unit 20 that drives the transducer 11 to perform an ultrasonic scan for the test object P; an image data generation unit 31 that generates ultrasonic image data on the basis of a reception signal from the transmission/reception unit 20; a position detector 40 that detects a position and an angle of the ultrasonic probe 10; and a position data generation unit 41 that generates, on the basis of the position and the angle, first position data for volume data of 3D image data to be generated when assuming that the transducer 11 swings. When at least a part of a region of interest set in the volume data is included in the first position data, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus causes the transducer 11 to swing.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that performs diagnosis by displaying image data obtained from an image diagnostic apparatus.

  The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus scans the subject with ultrasound and generates ultrasound image data indicating the scanning surface of the subject based on the received signal of the reflected wave caused by the difference in acoustic impedance of the subject tissue. It is displayed on the monitor.

  This diagnostic method using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an operation in which an ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the body surface of a subject at the bedside as compared with an image diagnostic apparatus such as a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus (MRI apparatus) or an X-ray CT apparatus. Since ultrasonic image data can be displayed in real time and is highly safe, it is widely used for diagnosis of the heart, blood vessels, abdomen, urinary organs and the like.

  However, ultrasonic image data has a problem that the image quality is inferior to that of an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus. Therefore, two-dimensional image data having the same cross section as the ultrasonic scanning surface of the subject is generated from the three-dimensional image data of the subject obtained from the image diagnostic apparatus, and the generated two-dimensional image data and ultrasonic image data are monitored. There are known methods for displaying them on the screen and using them for diagnosis and treatment.

JP 2002-112998 A

  However, when ultrasonic image data and two-dimensional image data are displayed on the monitor, in addition to visual confirmation of the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe and observation of whether or not the region of interest is included in the ultrasonic image data. It is necessary to observe whether or not the region of interest is included in the two-dimensional image data. If the region of interest is not included, it is necessary to check the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe and operate it, which increases the burden on the operator. ing.

  The embodiment has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can reduce a burden on an operator.

  In order to solve the above problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an oscillator unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject, and an oscillation unit that oscillates and stops the transducer unit. The position and angle of the ultrasonic probe, the transmission / reception unit that drives the transducer unit to perform ultrasonic scanning, the image data generation unit that generates image data based on the reception signal from the transmission / reception unit, and the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe The position detector to be detected, and the three-dimensional image data region obtained from an external image diagnostic device when virtual oscillation of the vibrator unit is obtained based on the position and angle detected by the position detector. A position data generation unit that generates first position data indicating a position of the subject with respect to the volume data, and at least a part of a region of interest preset in the volume data is in the first position data area. If are rare, characterized in that a swing control unit for oscillating the oscillator portion of the swing unit controls and drives.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the Example of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of volume data stored in an image data storage unit according to the embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of B-mode image data and tomographic image data displayed on a monitor according to the embodiment, a position and an angle of an ultrasonic probe when the screen is displayed, and a swing angle of a transducer unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of three-dimensional image data displayed on a monitor according to the embodiment, a position and an angle of an ultrasonic probe when the screen is displayed, and a swing angle of a transducer unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of B-mode image data and reference image data displayed on a monitor according to the embodiment, a position and an angle of an ultrasonic probe when the screen is displayed, and a swing angle of a transducer unit.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 10 having a transducer unit 11 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject P, and a swing unit 12 that swings and stops the transducer unit 11, An oscillation control unit 15 that drives and controls the oscillation unit 12 of the acoustic probe 10, a transmission / reception unit 20 that drives the transducer unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10 to perform ultrasonic scanning, and a reception signal from the transmission / reception unit 20 And a signal processing unit 30 for generating data such as B-mode data based on it.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 also includes an image data generation unit 31 that generates ultrasonic image data based on data generated by the signal processing unit 30, and a position detector 40 that detects the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10. A position data generating unit 41 that generates position data indicating the position of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generating unit 31 with respect to CT image data obtained from, for example, the X-ray CT apparatus 110 that is an external image diagnostic apparatus. And an image processing unit 50 for processing CT image data. Note that image data obtained from an MRI apparatus may be used instead of CT image data.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 performs input of each command signal and the like with the display unit 60 that displays the ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generation unit 31 and the CT image data processed by the image processing unit 50. A system control unit that controls the operation unit 70, the swing control unit 15, the transmission / reception unit 20, the signal processing unit 30, the image data generation unit 31, the position data generation unit 41, the image processing unit 50, and the display unit 60. 80.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 10. FIG. 2A is a view showing a direction in which the transducer unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10 is swung, and FIG. 2B is a view of the ultrasonic probe 10 in FIG. FIG. The ultrasonic probe 10 supports a vibrator unit 11 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject P, and the vibrator unit 11 is swingable in an arrow R2 direction that is opposite to the arrow R1 and R1 directions. And a probe case 13 that forms the outer shell of the oscillator 11 and the oscillator 12.

  The transducer unit 11 includes a plurality (N) of transducers arranged in a direction orthogonal to the swing direction, and transmits ultrasonic waves into the subject P by a drive signal output from the transmission / reception unit 20. To do. Then, the ultrasonic waves reflected in the subject P are received and converted into reception signals, and the converted reception signals are output to the transmission / reception unit 20.

  The oscillating unit 12 includes a motor 121 that is a power generation source that oscillates the vibrator unit 11, a first gear 122 fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 121, and a second gear that engages with the first gear 122. A gear 123, a swing shaft 124 penetrating and fixed at the rotation center of the second gear 123, and an arm 125 having one end joined to the swing shaft 124 and holding the vibrator portion 11 at the other end. Composed. Hereinafter, the swing angle of the transducer unit 11 when the arm 125 is positioned on the central axis 10a of the ultrasonic probe 10 will be referred to as a reference angle θ0.

  Then, the oscillating unit 12 draws an arc-shaped trajectory with the length of the arm 125 as the rotation radius around the oscillating shaft 124, and from the oscillating angle θL and the reference angle θ0 rotated in the R1 direction from the reference angle θ0. The vibrator unit 11 is swung with a swing angle θR rotated in the R2 direction as a swing range θr. Further, the vibrator unit 11 is stopped at various swing angles such as the reference angle θ0 within the swing range θr.

  The transmission / reception unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 phasing the reception signal obtained from the transmission unit 21 and the transducer unit 11 that generates a drive signal for generating an ultrasonic wave in the transducer unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10. A receiving unit 22 that performs addition is included, and ultrasonic scanning is performed based on imaging conditions such as gain, dynamic range, transmission frequency, pulse repetition frequency, depth of field, viewing angle, and frame rate supplied from the system control unit 80. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, at the reference angle θ0 of the transducer unit 11, the two-dimensional imaging region indicated by the oblique lines in the subject P is ultrasonically scanned. Further, when the transducer unit 11 swings within the swing range θr, ultrasonic scanning is performed at a plurality of swing angles.

  The transmitter 21 generates a rate pulse that determines the repetition period (Tr) of the ultrasonic pulse radiated to the subject P. Next, a delay time for focusing for focusing the ultrasonic beam at a predetermined depth in each depth direction in the subject P and a deflection delay time for scanning by transmission in each depth direction are given to the rate pulse. A drive pulse is generated from the rate pulse and output to the vibrator unit 11.

  The reception unit 22 amplifies a minute reception signal output from the transducer unit 11 to ensure sufficient S / N. Next, a focusing delay time for focusing an ultrasonic beam from a predetermined depth in each depth direction in the subject P, a deflection delay time for setting the directivity of the ultrasonic beam in the depth direction, and reception. Give to the signal. The received signals are phased and added, combined into one, and output to the signal processing unit 30.

  The signal processing unit 30 performs envelope detection on the received signal subjected to phasing addition from the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 20 and then performs logarithmic conversion. Then, the logarithmically converted signal is converted into a digital signal to generate B-mode data, and the generated B-mode data is output to the image data generation unit 31. In addition, the Doppler shift frequency is detected and converted into a digital signal for the phased and added received signal, and then a signal related to blood flow and heart wall movement information is extracted, and the extracted Doppler signal is self-examined. Perform correlation processing. Then, based on the autocorrelation processing result, Doppler data representing the velocity of blood flow, heart wall, and the like is generated, and the generated Doppler data is output to the image data generation unit 31.

  The image data generation unit 31 performs scan conversion on the B mode data output from the signal processing unit 30 for image display. As shown in FIG. 2, when the transducer unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10 is stopped at the reference angle θ0, for example, a two-dimensional (2D) imaging region is imaged by ultrasonic scanning in the subject P. B-mode image data that is the two-dimensional image data thus generated is generated. In addition, the Doppler data output from the signal processing unit 30 is subjected to scan conversion to generate Doppler image data in which the velocities of blood flow, heart wall, and the like are expressed over time. Further, from the plurality of B-mode image data generated by ultrasonic scanning of each 2D imaging region at a plurality of swing angles when the transducer unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10 swings the swing range θr, each 2D 3D image data obtained by imaging a three-dimensional (3D) imaging area constituted by the imaging areas is generated. Then, the generated ultrasonic image data such as B-mode image data, Doppler image data, and 3D image data is output to the display unit 60.

  The position detector 40 includes a transmitter that generates a magnetic field and a receiver that is attached to the probe case 13 of the ultrasonic probe 10 that detects the magnetic field generated by the transmitter. Then, the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 in the magnetic field space are detected using the transmitter as a reference point, and position information of the detected position and angle is output to the system control unit 80.

  When the calibration operation is performed from the operation unit 70, the position data generation unit 41 is based on the imaging condition supplied from the system control unit 80 and the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 detected by the position detector 40. The coordinate system of the ultrasonic image data area generated by the image data generation unit 31 is converted into the coordinate system of CT image data obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus 110.

  Then, based on the position and angle detected by the position detector 40, the first position indicating the position of the 3D image data area with respect to the CT image data when the oscillation of the transducer unit 11 in the ultrasonic probe 10 is virtually assumed. Generate position data. Further, second position data indicating the position of the B-mode image data area with respect to the CT image data when the vibrator unit 11 is stopped at the reference angle θ0, for example, is generated. Then, the generated first and second position data are output to the image processing unit 50.

  The image processing unit 50 includes an image data storage unit 51 for storing CT image data such as volume data that is tomographic image data of a plurality of slices and three-dimensional image data obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus 110 by examination of the subject P, and An image data processing unit 52 that processes CT image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of volume data stored in the image data storage unit 51. This volume data Pa is obtained, for example, by imaging the imaging range F including the marker M placed on the body surface above the xiphoid projection of the subject P placed in a supine position on a horizontal plane. 3D image data obtained from The volume data Pa is represented by a Z-axis that is the body axis direction of the subject P, and a spatial coordinate system of the X-axis and the Y-axis that are orthogonal to the Z-axis, and the marker data Ma generated by imaging the marker M Is included. Moreover, the region of interest P1a indicating the position of the affected part P1 of the subject P preset by the X-ray CT apparatus 110 is included.

  The image data processing unit 52 shown in FIG. 1 reads the volume data Pa of the subject P to be examined from the image data storage unit 51, and the read volume data Pa is output from the position data generation unit 41. Processing is performed based on the second position data. First, the region of interest P1a set in the volume data Pa is searched. When the searched region of interest P1a is separated from the region of the first position data, a cross section including the second position data region of the volume data Pa is obtained. The tomographic image data shown is generated, and the generated tomographic image data is output to the display unit 60. Further, the separation information is output to the system control unit 80. The system control unit 80 controls the swing control unit 15 based on the separation information output from the image data processing unit 52, and the swing control unit 15 controls the drive of the swing unit 12 to control the vibrator unit 11 with a reference angle. Stop at θ0.

  When at least a part of the region of interest P1a is included in the first position data area, the third position data indicating the position of the part of the area is output to the position data generation unit 41. In the position data generation unit 41, based on the third position data output from the image data processing unit 52 and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 10, at least a part of the region in the subject P corresponding to the third position data. The oscillation angle of the transducer unit 11 capable of ultrasonic scanning is obtained, and information on the obtained oscillation angle is output to the system control unit 80.

  The display unit 60 includes a combining unit 61 that combines the B-mode image data generated by the image data generating unit 31 and the tomographic image data generated by the image data processing unit 52 of the image processing unit 50, and the image data generating unit 31. And a monitor 62 for displaying the generated ultrasonic image data and the image data synthesized by the synthesis unit 61. Then, the synthesis unit 61 outputs each ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generation unit 31 and the synthesized B-mode image data and tomographic image data to the monitor 62. The monitor 62 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, displays each ultrasonic image data output from the synthesizing unit 61, and displays the B-mode image data and the tomographic image data synthesized by the synthesizing unit 61 side by side. .

  The operation unit 70 includes input devices such as various switches, a keyboard, a trackball, and a mouse and a touch command screen, and inputs, for example, an ID for identifying the subject P by operating the input device. In addition, imaging conditions such as gain, dynamic range, transmission frequency, pulse repetition frequency, field depth, field angle, frame rate, rocking angle, rocking range θr, and the like are input.

  The system control unit 80 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and based on input information input from the operation unit 70, the swing control unit 15, the transmission / reception unit 20, the signal processing unit 30, the image data generation unit 31, and position data generation The unit 41, the image processing unit 50, and the display unit 60 are controlled and the entire system is controlled. Then, information on the swing angle and the swing range θr included in the imaging conditions is supplied to the swing control unit 15 to stop and swing the vibrator unit 11. Further, the information on the swing angle output from the position data generating unit 41 is supplied to the swing control unit 15 to stop the vibrator unit 11.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. A transmitter of the position detector 40 is disposed below the vicinity of the subject P placed in a supine position on the bed. When the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 performs setting input such as a generation mode, an imaging condition, and an ID of the subject P from the operation unit 70, and an operation for starting an examination is performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 An operation for inspecting the subject P is started (step S1).

  Based on input information from the operation unit 70, the system control unit 80 is based on the swing control unit 15, the transmission / reception unit 20, the signal processing unit 30, the image data generation unit 31, the position data generation unit 41, the image processing unit 50, and The display unit 60 is instructed to inspect. The swing control unit 15 controls the swing unit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10 to stop the vibrator unit 11 at the reference angle θ0. The position detector 40 detects the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 and outputs position information of the detected position and angle to the system control unit 80. Then, when the operator touches the ultrasonic probe 10 against the body surface of the subject P, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to and received from the subject P, and the transmission / reception unit 20 transmits the subject P via the ultrasonic probe 10. Scan with ultrasound inside.

  The signal processing unit 30 generates B mode data based on the reception signal output from the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 20, and outputs the generated B mode data to the image data generation unit 31. The image data generation unit 31 generates B mode image data from the B mode data output from the signal processing unit 30. Then, the generated B-mode image data is output to the display unit 60. The combining unit 61 of the display unit 60 outputs the B mode image data output from the image data generating unit 31 to the monitor 62. The monitor 62 displays the B-mode image data output from the combining unit 61 in real time.

  Next, in the state where the ultrasonic probe 10 is applied to the body surface of the subject P on which the marker M is placed in the examination of the X-ray CT apparatus 110, the upper end portion of the B-mode image data displayed on the monitor 62 is displayed. When the calibration operation for specifying the position of the data of the xiphoid process included is performed from the operation unit 70, the position data generation unit 41 is specified on the marker data Ma and the B-mode image data included in the volume data Pa. The position is recognized as a position where the coordinate system of the volume data Pa and the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image data coincide. Then, the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generation unit 31 is converted into the coordinate system of the volume data Pa obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus 110. Next, the first and second position data are generated based on the imaging conditions and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 10 supplied from the system control unit 80, and the generated first and second position data are used as the image processing unit 50. Is output to the image data processing unit 52 (step S2).

  The image data processing unit 52 reads the volume data Pa of the subject P to be examined from the image data storage unit 51, searches for the region of the region of interest P 1 a in the volume data Pa, and is output from the position data generation unit 41. The positional relationship with the position data area 1 is checked. When the region of interest P1a is separated from the region of the first position data (Yes in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. When at least a part of the region of interest P1a is included in the first position data region (No in step S3), the process proceeds to step S6.

  After “Yes” in step S3, the image data processing unit 52 processes the volume data Pa to generate and generate tomographic image data including the region of the second position data output from the position data generation unit 41. The tomographic image data is output to the synthesis unit 61 (step S4).

  The synthesizing unit 61 synthesizes the B-mode image data output from the image data generating unit 31 and the tomographic image data output from the image data processing unit 52 and outputs the combined data to the monitor 62. The monitor 62 displays the B-mode image data and the tomographic image data synthesized by the synthesis unit 61 side by side (step S5). Then, it returns to step S3.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen of B-mode image data and tomographic image data displayed on the monitor 62, the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 when this screen is displayed, and the swing angle of the transducer unit 11. FIG. The screen 63 includes a first display area 631 where the ultrasonic image data generated by the image data generation unit 31 is displayed and a second display area where the tomographic image data generated by the image data processing unit 52 is displayed. 632. In the first display area 631, B-mode image data 64 is displayed in real time, and in the second display area 632, tomographic image data 65 is displayed.

  When the B-mode image data 64 is displayed, the ultrasonic probe 10 has an oscillation range θr of the transducer unit 11 at an angle at which the central axis 10a is perpendicular to the body surface of the subject P, for example. The affected part P1 is at a position away from the virtual 3D imaging region in the subject P formed by the swing. Further, the vibrator unit 11 is stopped at the reference angle θ0.

  As described above, the B-mode image data 64 generated when the transducer unit 11 is stopped at the reference angle θ0 and the tomographic image data 65 indicating a cross section including the B-mode image data 64 region of the volume data Pa are arranged. It can be displayed on the monitor 62.

  By moving the ultrasonic probe 10 at the position and angle shown in FIG. 5 along the body surface of the subject P in the direction of the arrow L1 that is the direction approaching the affected part P1 of the subject P, at least the region of interest P1a. When a part is included in the region of the first position data (No in step S3), the image data processing unit 52 outputs third position data indicating the position of the part to the position data generation unit 41. . The position data generation unit 41 is based on the third position data output from the image data processing unit 52 and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 10, and at least a part of the region in the subject P corresponding to the third position data. The oscillation angle of the transducer unit 11 capable of ultrasonic scanning in the region is obtained, and information on the obtained oscillation angle is output to the system control unit 80. The system control unit 80 instructs the swing control unit 15 to swing the transducer unit 11 based on the swing angle information from the position data generation unit 41. The swing control unit 15 drives and controls the swing unit 12 to swing the vibrator unit 11 (step S6 in FIG. 4).

  As described above, when the ultrasonic probe 10 is moved and the virtual 3D imaging region enters the region intersecting with the affected part P1, the vibrator unit 11 can be swung. As a result, the affected part P1 is present in the subject P near the ultrasonic probe 10, and at least a part of the affected part P1 is included in the virtual three-dimensional imaging region formed by the oscillation of the vibrator unit 11 and It can be transmitted to the operator that the ultrasonic probe 10 is at an angle.

  The image data generation unit 31 generates a plurality of B-mode image data by ultrasonic scanning from a plurality of swing angles when the transducer unit 11 is swung. Next, 3D image data is generated from the plurality of B-mode image data, and the generated 3D image data is output to the combining unit 61. The synthesizer 61 outputs the 3D image data output from the image data generator 31 to the monitor 62. As shown in FIG. 6, the monitor 62 displays 3D image data 66 including data 661 of the affected area P1 of the subject P in the first display area 631 of the screen 63a (step S7 in FIG. 4).

  As described above, the 3D image data 66 is generated by the swinging of the transducer unit 11, and the generated 3D image data 66 is displayed on the monitor 62, whereby a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P is displayed in the 3D image data 66. The operator can be notified that the data 661 is included.

  Here, when a reference image data display operation is performed from the operation unit 70, the position data generation unit 41 is based on the third position data output from the image data processing unit 52 and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 10. Then, the swing angle of the transducer unit 11 capable of ultrasonic scanning at least a part of the region in the subject P corresponding to the third position data when the display operation of the reference image data is performed is obtained and obtained. The information about the swing angle is output to the system control unit 80. The system control unit 80 supplies information on the swing angle output from the position data generation unit 41 to the swing control unit 15 and instructs to stop the vibrator unit 11. The swing control unit 15 controls the swing unit 12 to stop the vibrator unit 11 at the swing angle supplied from the system control unit 80 (step S8 in FIG. 4).

  In this manner, the vibrator unit 11 can be stopped at the swing angle θ1 that enables ultrasonic scanning to at least a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P after the vibrator unit 11 is swung.

  The system control unit 80 controls the transmission / reception unit 20 by changing from the frame rate at the time of swinging the transducer unit 11 to the frame rate at the time of stopping. The image data generation unit 31 generates B-mode image data based on the received signal from the transmission / reception unit 20 by ultrasonic scanning at the frame rate at the time of stopping at the swing angle at which the transducer unit 11 is stopped, and the generated B-mode image The data is output to the synthesis unit 61. The image data processing unit 52 processes the volume data Pa to generate reference image data that is tomographic image data including the third position data area, and outputs the generated reference image data to the combining unit 61. . The combining unit 61 combines the B-mode image data output from the image data generating unit 31 and the reference image data output from the image data processing unit 52 and outputs the combined image to the monitor 62. The monitor 62 displays the B-mode image data and reference image data synthesized by the synthesis unit 61 (step S9 in FIG. 4).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the screen of the B-mode image data and reference image data displayed on the monitor 62, the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 when this screen is displayed, and the swing angle of the transducer unit 11. FIG. B-mode image data 64b is displayed in real time in the first display area 631 of the screen 63b, and reference image data 65b is displayed in the second display area 632. The B-mode image data 64b includes affected part data 641 corresponding to a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P. Further, the reference image data 65b includes a part of the region of interest data P1a1 of the region of interest P1a included in the volume data Pa.

  When the B-mode image data 64b is displayed, the ultrasonic probe 10 has an oscillation range θr of the transducer unit 11 at an angle at which the central axis 10a is perpendicular to the body surface of the subject P, for example. It exists in the position where the affected part P1 is contained in the virtual 3D imaging area | region in the subject P formed by rocking | fluctuation. Further, the vibrator unit 11 stops at a swing angle θ1 that is swung from the reference angle θ, for example, in the R1 direction.

  As described above, the B-mode image data 64b including the affected part data 641 corresponding to a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P and the reference data including the part of the interested area data P1a1 of the interested area P1a, which are image data useful for diagnosis. The image data 65b can be displayed side by side on the monitor 62.

  The operator operates the ultrasonic probe 10 and observes the B-mode image data 64b displayed on the monitor 62 and the reference image data 65b displayed together with the B-mode image data 64b to obtain a result necessary for diagnosis. When it is determined that the inspection end operation is performed from the operation unit 70, the system control unit 80 causes the swing control unit 15, the transmission / reception unit 20, the image data generation unit 31, the position data generation unit 41, and the image processing unit. 50 and the units of the display unit 60 are instructed to stop, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 ends the examination (step S10 in FIG. 4).

  According to the embodiment described above, the ultrasonic probe 10 capable of swinging and stopping the transducer unit 11 and the position detector 40 that detects the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 are provided, and the position detector 40 detects the ultrasonic probe 10. Based on the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe 10, the first position data indicating the position of the 3D image data region when the oscillation of the transducer unit 11 with respect to the volume data Pa is assumed, and the transducer unit 11 Second position data indicating the position of the B-mode image data area generated when the vehicle stops at the reference angle θ0 can be generated.

  When the region of interest P1a set in advance in the volume data Pa is separated from the region of the first position data, the transducer unit 11 can be stopped at the reference angle θ0. Further, the monitor 62 is arranged with B-mode image data 64 generated when the transducer unit 11 is stopped at the reference angle θ0 and tomographic image data 65 showing a cross section including the B-mode image data 64 region of the volume data Pa. Can be displayed.

  Further, when at least a part of the region of interest P1a is included in the region of the first position data, the affected part P1 is placed in the subject P near the ultrasound probe 10 by swinging the vibrator unit 11. An operator is informed that the ultrasound probe 10 is located at a position and an angle included in a virtual three-dimensional imaging region in which at least a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P is formed by the oscillation of the vibrator unit 11. can do. Further, 3D image data 66 is generated by swinging the transducer unit 11, and the generated 3D image data 66 is displayed on the monitor 62, whereby at least a part of data on the affected part P 1 of the subject P is displayed in the 3D image data 66. Can be notified to the operator.

  Furthermore, after the vibrator unit 11 is swung, the vibrator unit 11 can be stopped at a rocking angle θ1 that enables ultrasonic scanning to at least a part of the affected part P1 of the subject P. Thereby, the reference image including B-mode image data 64b including the affected area data 641 corresponding to a part of the affected area P1 of the subject P and the partial area of interest data P1a1 of the area of interest P1a, which is image data useful for diagnosis. The data 65b can be displayed side by side on the monitor 62.

  As described above, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  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 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.

P Subject 10 Ultrasonic probe 11 Transducer unit 12 Oscillating unit 20 Transmission / reception unit 30 Signal processing unit 31 Image data generation unit 40 Position detection unit 41 Position data generation unit 50 Image processing unit 51 Image data storage unit 52 Image data processing unit Reference Signs List 60 display unit 61 synthesis unit 62 monitor 70 operation unit 80 system control unit 100 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 110 X-ray CT apparatus

Claims (6)

An ultrasonic probe having an oscillator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject, and an oscillator that swings and stops the oscillator; and
A transmitting / receiving unit that drives the transducer unit to perform ultrasonic scanning;
An image data generation unit that generates image data based on a reception signal from the transmission / reception unit;
A position detector for detecting the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe;
Based on the position and angle detected by the position detector, the position of the three-dimensional image data area when the oscillation of the transducer unit is virtually assumed with respect to the volume data of the subject obtained from an external diagnostic imaging apparatus A position data generator for generating first position data indicating
Swing control for swinging the vibrator unit by driving the swing unit when at least a part of a region of interest set in advance in the volume data is included in the first position data region And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.   2. The swing control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the region of interest is separated from the region of the first position data, the swing unit is stopped at a predetermined swing angle. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   When at least a part of the region of interest is included in the region of the first position data, the swing control unit is configured to move the transducer unit to the inside of the subject corresponding to the part after swinging. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transducer unit is stopped at a swing angle at which at least a part of the region can be scanned with ultrasonic waves.   An image processing data generation unit that generates tomographic image data of the volume data including an area of two-dimensional image data generated by the image data generation unit when the vibrator unit is stopped The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor that displays the two-dimensional image data and the tomographic image data side by side. The transmitting / receiving unit performs ultrasonic scanning at a plurality of swing angles at which the transducer unit is swung,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data generation unit generates three-dimensional image data based on a reception signal from the transmission / reception unit.

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