JP2014124309A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily provide a physical relationship between an ultrasonic probe and a measuring object area and protect the privacy of a subject.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 18, an acquisition unit 12, and a detection unit 16. The ultrasonic probe 18 acquires the ultrasonic image of a measuring object area. The acquisition unit 12 acquires a distance image of a range including the measuring object area. The detection unit 16 detects a probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the distance image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates ultrasonic waves in a state where an ultrasonic probe is in contact with a measurement target region of a subject, receives reflected ultrasonic waves, and processes them as ultrasonic images.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a display unit. The operator moves the position of the ultrasonic probe while checking the display unit, thereby adjusting the position of the ultrasonic probe to the desired measurement target region of the subject. Thereby, an ultrasonic image of the measurement target region is obtained.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic image is displayed as a schematic diagram (sometimes referred to as a body mark) of the region of the measurement target region corresponding to the ultrasonic image. At this time, providing the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the measurement target region in the subject is performed.

  For example, a technique for registering a plurality of types of body marks in advance in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed. Then, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays an image in which one of a plurality of types of body marks registered in advance and an image showing the ultrasonic probe are superimposed, so that the positional relationship between the part of the subject and the ultrasonic probe is displayed. I will provide a. It is also disclosed that when a desired type of body mark is not registered, a new type of body mark can be registered.

  Further, a technique for acquiring a photographed image of a subject when an ultrasonic probe is in contact with the measurement target region of the subject is also disclosed. According to this technique, the position of the ultrasonic probe and the position of the thermography are detected by the position measuring device. Furthermore, using the detected position, the ultrasound image is coordinate-converted into an image with the thermography as a viewpoint. Then, a composite image obtained by combining the coordinate-converted image and the subject image obtained by thermography is provided.

JP 2009-207800 A JP 2004-49558 A

  However, conventionally, it has been difficult to easily provide the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the subject measurement area and to protect the privacy of the subject.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can easily provide a positional relationship between an ultrasonic probe and a measurement target region and protect the privacy of a subject.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe, an acquisition unit, and a detection unit. The ultrasonic probe acquires an ultrasonic image of the measurement target region. The acquisition unit acquires a distance image in a range including the measurement target region. The detection unit detects a probe position of the ultrasonic probe in the distance image.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The flowchart which shows the procedure of an image process. The schematic diagram of a distance image. The schematic diagram of a superimposed image. The schematic diagram of a model superimposition image.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 12, a setting unit 14, a detection unit 16, an ultrasonic probe 18, a generation unit 20, a storage unit 22, a transmission / reception circuit 24, a DSC circuit 26, a frame memory 28, a synthesis unit 30, and a display. The unit 32 is provided.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is a computer that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Unit 14, detection unit 16, ultrasonic probe 18, generation unit 20, storage unit 22, transmission / reception circuit 24, DSC circuit 26, frame memory 28, and synthesis unit 30.

  The ultrasonic probe 18 acquires ultrasonic echo data of the measurement target region. The measurement target region is a region to be measured in the body part of the subject. The ultrasonic probe 18 is used by being brought into contact with a measurement target region by an operation of an operator or the like. The ultrasonic probe 18 generates ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected ultrasonic waves to acquire echo data.

  The ultrasonic probe 18 is provided with a display unit 18A.

  The display unit 18A is a known display device. The display unit 18A displays various images, characters, and the like. In the present embodiment, the display unit 18A displays, for example, various images such as an ultrasonic image, a model image (details will be described later), a superimposed image (details will be described later), and a composite image (details will be described later) acquired by the acquisition unit 12. To do. The display unit 18A may display an image acquired from another device or the like. An image acquired from another device or the like is, for example, an image obtained by CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), or the like.

  The ultrasonic probe 18 is electrically connected to the transmission / reception circuit 24. The transmission / reception circuit 24 transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 18. The ultrasonic probe 18 receives a drive signal from the transmission / reception circuit 24 and generates an ultrasonic wave corresponding to the drive signal, thereby acquiring echo data.

  The transmission / reception circuit 24 is electrically connected to an ultrasonic probe 18 and a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) circuit 26. The DSC circuit 26 detects echo data received from the ultrasonic probe 18 by the transmission / reception circuit 24, and converts the detected echo data into a two-dimensional ultrasonic image. The DSC circuit 26 sequentially stores ultrasonic images in the frame memory 28.

  The acquisition unit 12 acquires a distance image in a range including the measurement target region. The range acquired as the distance image may be a range including the measurement target region, but is preferably a range including the measurement target range and the operator of the ultrasonic probe 18.

  The distance image may be referred to as a depth image. The distance image is an image indicating the depth of a range acquired as a distance image. In other words, the distance image is an image that defines the distance from the sensor used to acquire the distance image for each pixel constituting the distance image.

  A known sensor is used as the sensor used for acquiring the distance image. The sensor may be any sensor that can acquire information capable of grasping the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe 18 and the measurement target region of the subject even in a dark room. As the sensor, for example, Microsoft's Kinect (registered trademark) or various sensors that acquire distance using infrared rays are used. The acquisition unit 12 may create a distance image from an infrared image acquired from a sensor using a known method such as stereo matching.

  In the present embodiment, a case where an infrared camera is used as the acquisition unit 12 will be described. For this reason, in this Embodiment, the acquisition part 12 acquires the distance image of the imaging | photography range by the infrared camera as the acquisition part 12. FIG.

  The acquisition unit 12 is installed in advance at a position higher (relatively higher) than the position where the measurement target region of the subject is positioned, and the ultrasonic probe 18 operated by the measurement target region and the operator is acquired. It is installed at a position that falls within the angle of view of the section 12. For example, the acquisition unit 12 is installed in advance in an indoor ceiling portion, a position higher than the subject, or the like.

  Note that the acquisition unit 12 may include an automatic angle of view adjustment function. Specifically, the acquisition unit 12 determines that the measurement target region and the ultrasonic probe 18 are within the angle of view in accordance with the actual position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in real space, the probe position (described later in detail), the position of the subject, and the like. The angle of view may be automatically adjusted so as to be positioned at. In addition, a mechanism capable of automatically adjusting the installation location (position and height) of the acquisition unit 12 is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, and the installation position of the acquisition unit 12 is determined according to the probe position, actual position, and the like of the ultrasonic probe 18. May be adjusted mechanically.

  The acquisition unit 12 is connected to the generation unit 20. The acquisition unit 12 transmits the distance image to the generation unit 20.

  The detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18. The probe position indicates the position of the ultrasonic probe 18 on the distance image acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

  For example, the detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 on the distance image by performing known image processing on the distance image acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

  For example, a light source such as an LED or an infrared LED that emits visible light is installed in advance on the ultrasonic probe 18. Then, the detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 from the position of the light source included in the distance image acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

  The detection unit 16 may detect the probe position based on information acquired from the sensor 16 </ b> A provided in the ultrasonic probe 18. For example, the detection unit 16 acquires the actual position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the real space from the sensor 16A. The detection unit 16 detects the probe position by a known method based on the actual position and orientation acquired from the sensor 16A.

  As the reference position used as the origin in the real space by the detection unit 16, a preset value may be used, or information indicating the reference position received from the setting unit 14 may be used.

  The sensor 16A uses a spatial position sensor that detects a position by ultrasonic waves or magnetism, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a combination of one or more of these sensors. Further, various devices that detect the ultrasonic probe 18 in real space using a GPS (Global Positioning System) may be used as the sensor 16A. Moreover, you may use the portable terminal provided with position detection functions, such as GPS, for the sensor 16A.

  When a spatial position sensor that detects a position by ultrasonic waves is used as the sensor 16A, the sensor 16A acquires the actual position of the ultrasonic probe 18 by the following method.

  For example, it is assumed that a spatial position sensor that detects a position using ultrasonic waves has a known configuration including one ultrasonic oscillator and a plurality of receivers. In this case, the spatial position sensor as the sensor 16A measures a time delay until the ultrasonic wave reaches each receiver, and obtains the positions of the ultrasonic oscillator and the receiver based on the principle of triangulation. Thus, the sensor 16A detects the actual position of the ultrasonic probe 18.

  Further, for example, when a spatial position sensor that detects the position by magnetism is used as the sensor 16A, the spatial position sensor as the sensor 16A uses the electromotive force generated in the coil due to a change in magnetic flux to Detect position.

  When a geomagnetic sensor is used as the sensor 16A, the sensor 16A detects the actual position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the real space from the detected direction of geomagnetism. Further, the actual position and the actual posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 may be detected by arranging these sensors in the plural ultrasonic probes 18 and integrating one or more of data obtained therefrom.

  The sensor 16 </ b> A only needs to be provided at a position where the actual position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe 18 can be detected, and is not limited to the configuration provided in the ultrasonic probe 18.

  When the sensor 16A is not disposed on the ultrasonic probe 18, the detection unit 16 may detect the actual position and posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 by the following method. For example, a marker is placed on the ultrasonic probe 18. This marker may be any marker that can identify the position of the ultrasonic probe 18 from the information acquired by the sensor 16A. For example, the marker includes a light source such as an LED or an infrared LED that emits visible light, and a color member that reflects or absorbs light in a specific wavelength region. Then, the sensor 16A may detect an actual position of the ultrasonic probe 18 by acquiring an image of a region including the ultrasonic probe 18 and analyzing a marker position included in the acquired image.

  The setting unit 14 is operated when the user performs various inputs. In the present embodiment, the setting unit 14 is operated by the user when performing various initial settings in the detection unit 16.

  The generation unit 20 acquires a distance image from the acquisition unit 12. Further, the generation unit 20 acquires the probe position from the detection unit 16. Then, the generation unit 20 generates a positional relationship image. The positional relationship image is an image showing the positional relationship between the probe position on the distance image and the measurement target region by the ultrasonic probe 18.

  The positional relationship image may be an image indicating the positional relationship between the probe position and the measurement target region on the distance image. For example, a superimposed image in which a probe image indicating the ultrasonic probe 18 is superimposed on the probe position in the distance image, These are a superimposed image of the subject area of the subject or the operator area of the operator in the distance image and a probe image showing the ultrasonic probe 18. The operator area and the subject area may be detected by the detection unit 16 from the distance image using a known image matching technique or the like.

  The generation unit 20 outputs the generated positional relationship image to the synthesis unit 30 and stores it in the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 is a known storage medium that stores various images and the like.

  The synthesizing unit 30 generates a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the positional relationship image generated by the generating unit 20 and the ultrasonic image stored in the frame memory 28. In addition, the synthesis unit 30 stores the synthesized image in the storage unit 22. Further, the synthesis unit 30 performs control to display the synthesized image on the display unit 32.

  Next, image processing executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image processing executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

  Note that, when a power switch (not shown) is instructed to operate, the CPU (control unit) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 supplies power to each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and executes the procedure shown in FIG. Is done. A CPU (not shown) reads out and executes a program for executing image processing from a ROM or the like, thereby executing the above-described functional units (acquisition unit 12, detection unit 16, ultrasonic probe 18, generation unit 20, transmission / reception circuit). 24, DSC circuit 26, frame memory 28, composition unit 30 and the like) are loaded onto the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  Further, the CPU of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the procedure shown in FIG. 2 until a signal indicating the end of image processing is received. As the signal indicating the end of the image processing, for example, an instruction signal indicating the end is input when an end button (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is operated. Then, the CPU of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may determine whether or not the end of the image processing has been accepted by determining whether or not this instruction signal has been received.

  First, the ultrasonic probe 18 acquires an ultrasonic image (step S100).

  Specifically, the operator applies the ultrasonic probe 18 to the measurement target region of the subject while power is supplied. In this state, for example, when an operation button (not shown) provided on the ultrasonic probe 18 is instructed, the transmission / reception circuit 24 transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 18.

  For example, when an operation button (not shown) of the ultrasonic probe 18 is instructed to operate, the ultrasonic probe 18 transmits an instruction signal indicating that the operation button has been instructed to the transmission / reception circuit 24. The transmission / reception circuit 24 may transmit a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 18 when the instruction signal is received from the ultrasonic probe 18. Note that the transmission / reception circuit 24 may transmit a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 18 when power is supplied to each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

  The ultrasonic probe 18 generates the ultrasonic wave according to the received drive signal, thereby acquiring echo data and transmitting the echo data to the DSC circuit 26 via the transmission / reception circuit 24. The DSC circuit 26 generates an ultrasonic image from the received echo data, and sequentially stores it in the frame memory 28. The DSC circuit 26 sequentially stores the generated ultrasonic images in the frame memory 28 in association with the acquisition time of the echo data used for generating the ultrasonic image. Thereby, an ultrasonic image is obtained.

  Next, the acquisition unit 12 acquires a distance image in a range including the measurement target region (step S102). Then, the acquisition unit 12 sequentially transmits the acquired distance image and the acquisition time of the distance image to the generation unit 20 and the detection unit 16.

  Note that the processing of step S100 and step S102 may be executed in parallel in time.

  Next, the detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 (step S104).

  Specifically, the detection unit 16 acquires the actual position and posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the real space from the sensor 16A. The detection unit 16 may acquire the actual position and posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the real space from the sensor 16A when the ultrasonic probe 18 contacts the measurement target region of the subject. In this case, a contact sensor (not shown) is provided on the ultrasonic probe 18. Then, when the contact sensor detects contact of the ultrasonic probe 18 with the measurement target region, the sensor 16 </ b> A may output the detected actual position and posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 to the detection unit 16.

  The detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the distance image based on the actual position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe 18 acquired from the sensor 16 </ b> A and the distance image acquired from the acquisition unit 12. In addition, the detection method of the probe position by the detection part 16 is not restricted to this method.

  Next, the generation unit 20 generates a superimposed image (step S106).

  In step S <b> 106, the generation unit 20 first processes the distance image acquired from the acquisition unit 12 and converts the relationship between the measurement target region of the subject and the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 into a visible distance image. For example, the generation unit 20 generates the distance image 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 by processing the distance image acquired from the acquisition unit 12. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the distance image 50.

  In addition, the distance image 50 shown in FIG. 3 has a lower brightness value (that is, a darker color as the distance is longer) as the distance (depth) indicated by each pixel constituting the distance image acquired by the acquisition unit 12 is longer. It was obtained by changing to. Therefore, the processed distance image 50 shown in FIG. 3 is an image in which the subject and the position of the operator's hand of the ultrasonic probe 18 are visible.

  Next, the generation unit 20 generates a superimposed image of the processed distance image (the distance image 50 in FIG. 3) and the probe image showing the ultrasonic probe 18. The probe image may be an image showing the ultrasonic probe 18, and for example, an image schematically showing the ultrasonic probe 18 is used.

  Specifically, the generation unit 20 displays an image in which a probe image indicating the ultrasonic probe 18 is arranged at the probe position acquired from the detection unit 16 on the processed distance image (distance image 50 in FIG. 3). Generated as a superimposed image.

  The generation unit 20 may display a probe image showing the ultrasonic probe 18 in a form corresponding to the posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 acquired by the sensor 16A in real space. For example, a probe image having a shape inclined according to the posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the real space is superimposed on the distance image 50.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a superimposed image. As shown in FIG. 4, the superimposed image 52 is an image in which the probe image 52 </ b> B is arranged at the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 on the distance image 50.

  Note that the superimposed image generated by the generation unit 20 may be a positional relationship image indicating the positional relationship between the subject and the position of the ultrasonic probe 18, and the probe on the processed distance image 50 as shown in FIG. It is not limited to a form in which the probe image of the ultrasonic probe 18 is superimposed on the position.

  For example, the generation unit 20 extracts the subject area of the subject included in the processed distance image 50, and sets a predetermined color as a color indicating the subject in the subject area. A known method may be used to extract the subject area. Specifically, the region of the fixed member included in the distance image 50 may be registered in advance, and the subject region may be extracted from the remaining image obtained by removing the region due to the fixed member from the distance image 50. The fixed member is a member that does not move with time, and includes, for example, a bed and a chair.

  Furthermore, the generation unit 20 extracts an operator area of the operator of the ultrasonic probe 18 included in the processed distance image 50, and sets a color set in advance as a color indicating the operator in the operator area. Determine.

  Then, the generation unit 20, on the processed distance image 50, at least one of a subject region in which a preset color is set and an operator region in which a preset color is set, and a probe image of the ultrasonic probe 18 , May be superimposed to generate a superimposed image. Further, the generation unit 20 uses, as a superimposed image, an image obtained by superimposing the probe image of the ultrasonic probe 18 on the remaining image obtained by deleting the region other than the operator region and the subject region in the distance image 50 from the distance image 50. May be.

  The generation unit 20 also includes at least one of the subject position of the subject in the distance image 50, the subject area in the distance image 50, the body position of the subject, the operator position of the operator in the distance image 50, and the operator area in the distance image 50. An image indicating the above may be further superimposed on the superimposed image.

  Note that the subject position, subject area, subject position, operator position, and operator area may be detected by the detection unit 16 from the distance image using a known image processing method. The production | generation part 20 should just perform the said process using the test subject position detected by the detection part 16, a test subject area | region, a test subject's body position, an operator position, and an operator area | region.

  The generation unit 20 may prepare a plurality of types of model images in advance and store them in the storage unit 22. The model image is an image that schematically shows the human body model of the subject. The generation unit 20 may further generate a model superimposed image in which a probe image is superimposed on one type of model image among the plurality of types of model images.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the model superimposed image 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the model superimposed image 54 is a superimposed image of a model image 54A and a probe image 52B.

  In this case, the generation unit 20 selects a model image having a shape closest to the subject included in the distance image acquired from the acquisition unit 12 from among a plurality of types of model images schematically showing the subject. A known image matching technique may be used for selecting the model image.

  Then, the generation unit 20 calculates which position on the selected model image the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 on the distance image corresponds to by a known method, and places the probe image at the calculated position. . Accordingly, the generation unit 20 may generate the model superimposed image 54.

  Note that the generation unit 20 may generate a plurality of types of model images by learning the shape of the human body model from distance images showing various persons in advance and store them in the storage unit 22 in advance. In addition, the generation unit 20 obtains body position information using a known sensor that outputs human skeleton information, thereby learning the shape of the human body model to generate a plurality of types of model images and storing them in the storage unit 22 in advance. May be. The generation unit 20 may generate the shape of the human body model specified by the model image based on information on the subject (for example, sex, age, height, weight, etc.).

  Similarly, the generation unit 20 applies the human body model to the operator and estimates the position of the hand that holds the ultrasonic probe 18 so that an image showing the hand is displayed as the distance image 50 or the model superimposed image 54. It may be further superimposed on the estimated hand position at. In addition, the generation unit 20 may superimpose an image showing a hand after being deformed according to the posture of the ultrasonic probe 18 detected by the sensor 16A.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the combining unit 30 then combines the ultrasonic image and the superimposed image to generate a combined image (step S <b> 108).

  In step S <b> 108, the synthesis unit 30 acquires an ultrasound image from the frame memory 28. Then, the acquired ultrasonic image and the superimposed image or model superimposed image created from the distance image acquired at the same time as the acquisition time of the acquired ultrasonic image are synthesized. At this time, the synthesizing unit 30 generates a synthesized image by superimposing an image obtained by reducing the superimposed image or the model superimposed image on the ultrasonic image. For this reason, the synthesized image is, for example, an image in which a superimposed image or a model superimposed image is superimposed on a partial region in the ultrasonic image.

  Note that the synthesis unit 30 may switch the target image to be synthesized with the distance image to a superimposed image or a model superimposed image according to an operation instruction from the operation unit (not shown) by the user.

  Next, the synthesis unit 30 performs display control to display the generated synthesized image on the display unit 32 (step S110). Then, this routine ends.

  In the process of step S108, the synthesis unit 30 may perform a process of storing the ultrasonic image and the synthesized image in the storage unit 22. The synthesizing unit 30 may store the ultrasonic image and the synthesized image in the storage unit 22 when the operation unit (not shown) is instructed by the user to receive a signal indicating a storage instruction. .

  The combining unit 30 may add header information indicating that the images are acquired at the same timing to the ultrasonic image and the combined image, and then separately store them in the storage unit 22. The synthesizing unit 30 may store a moving image in which the generated plurality of ultrasonic images and the synthesized image are arranged in time series in the storage unit 22.

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 18 acquires an ultrasonic image of the measurement target region. The acquisition unit 12 acquires a distance image in a range including the measurement target region. The detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the distance image.

  Here, conventionally, in order to provide the positional relationship between the measurement target region and the ultrasonic probe 18, operations such as registration of a plurality of types of model images and registration of new types of model images have been required. Further, conventionally, a positional relationship between the measurement target region of the subject and the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 has been provided using a photographed image of the subject. For this reason, conventionally, it has been difficult to easily provide the positional relationship between the measurement target region and the ultrasonic probe 18 while protecting the privacy of the subject.

  On the other hand, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the detection unit 16 detects the probe position of the ultrasonic probe 18 in the distance image without using a visible image such as an infrared image.

  Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can easily provide the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe 18 and the measurement target region and protect the privacy of the subject.

  In addition, although several embodiment of this invention was described above, these embodiment is shown as an example and is 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 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 Acquisition part 16 Detection part 18 Ultrasonic probe 20 Generation part 30 Synthesis | combination part

Claims (10)

An ultrasonic probe for acquiring an ultrasonic image of the measurement target region;
An acquisition unit for acquiring a distance image of a range including the measurement target region;
A detection unit for detecting a probe position of the ultrasonic probe in the distance image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a generation unit that generates a positional relationship image indicating a positional relationship between the probe position and the measurement target region.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation unit generates a superimposed image in which a probe image indicating the ultrasonic probe is superimposed on the probe position on the distance image as the positional relationship image. The detection unit further detects the posture of the ultrasonic probe in real space,
The generation unit generates the superimposed image in which the probe image corresponding to the posture is superimposed on the probe position on the distance image as the positional relationship image.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. A sensor for acquiring a real position of the ultrasonic probe in real space;
The detector detects the probe position based on the actual position;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The sensor further acquires the posture of the ultrasonic probe in real space,
The detection unit detects the probe position based on the actual position and the posture;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the probe position from the distance image. The detection unit includes, in the distance image, an operator position of an operator who operates the ultrasonic probe, an operator area of the operator, a subject position of a subject to be measured, a subject area of the subject, and the subject area of the subject. Detecting at least one body position from the distance image;
The generator generates the superimposed image obtained by further superimposing the detected image on at least one of the operator position, the operator area, the subject position, the subject area, and the body position on the distance image. Generating as the positional relationship image,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. The detection unit detects an operator area of an operator who operates the ultrasonic probe in the distance image, and a subject area of a subject to be measured from the distance image,
The generating unit generates the superimposed image obtained by superimposing an image indicating the subject area, an image indicating the operator area, and a probe image indicating the ultrasonic probe as the positional relationship image.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. The detection unit detects a subject area of a subject to be measured in the distance image from the distance image,
The generation unit generates the superimposed image obtained by superimposing the distance image obtained by assigning a predetermined color to the subject region and a probe image indicating the ultrasonic probe as the positional relationship image.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.

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