JP2015020036A - Data analysis device, program for the same and ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device capable of identifying an analysis object part from which an analysis result more accurate and useful for diagnosis can be obtained.SOLUTION: A data analysis device includes an analysis object identifying part which identifies an analysis object part to be an analysis object of data of an ultrasonic image UI on the basis of the data of the ultrasonic image UI acquired for a subject and data of a medical image MI being the data of the medical image MI with modality different from that of the ultrasonic image UI and acquired for the position corresponding in the subject to the data of the ultrasonic image UI, and a data analysis part which performs analysis on the data of the ultrasonic image UI in the analysis object part specified by the analysis object identifying part. An indicator In indicating the analysis object part may be displayed on a display part 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data analysis apparatus that analyzes data acquired for a cross section of a subject, a program for the data analysis apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Examples of the medical image include an ultrasonic image, an X-ray CT image, and an MRI image. Among these, for example, there are various types of analysis for ultrasonic image data. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs fractal analysis on data based on ultrasonic echo signals. Patent Document 2 describes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs speckle pattern analysis on data based on ultrasonic echo signals to quantify tissue properties. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 detects the moving amount and moving direction of an image between the ultrasonic image of the current frame and the ultrasonic image of the immediately preceding frame (the frame one frame before the original frame). An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for tracking the movement of a certain part of an image is described.

JP 2012-210316 A JP 2004-321582 A International Publication No. 2008-44572 pamphlet

  In a medical image, it may be unclear which part is a suitable part for analysis. Further, if the entire region of the obtained medical image is set as an analysis target, the analysis takes time.

  By the way, in a certain medical image, even if a portion suitable as an analysis target is unknown, a region suitable as an analysis target may be specified in a medical image of another modality. Therefore, the inventor of the present application pays attention to such a point of view, and can specify a data analysis device, a program for the data analysis device, and an ultrasonic wave that can specify a portion that can obtain a more accurate and useful analysis result as an analysis target. The invention relating to the diagnostic apparatus has been intensively studied.

  One aspect of the invention made in order to solve the above-described problem is data of a first medical image acquired for a subject and data of a second medical image having a modality different from that of the first medical image. Based on the data of the first medical image and the data of the second medical image acquired for the corresponding position in the subject, the analysis target portion to be analyzed of the data of the first medical image is determined. A data analysis apparatus comprising: an analysis target specifying unit to be specified; and a data analysis unit for analyzing the data of the first medical image in the analysis target portion specified by the analysis target specifying unit .

  In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data analysis unit that performs analysis on ultrasonic image data acquired for a subject, and a medical image having a modality different from that of the ultrasonic image, which is acquired for the subject. The analysis target portion to be analyzed by the data analysis unit is specified based on the medical image and the reliability of the ultrasonic image data at a position corresponding to the medical image data. A data analysis apparatus comprising: an analysis target specifying unit that performs the analysis.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the analysis target specifying unit is configured to analyze the data of the first medical image based on the data of the first medical image and the data of the second medical image. Therefore, it is possible to specify an analysis target part that can obtain a more accurate and useful analysis result.

  According to the invention of the other aspect described above, the analysis target portion is specified based on the medical image and the reliability of the ultrasonic image data at a position corresponding to the medical image data. It is possible to specify an analysis target portion that can obtain a useful analysis result.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown by FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part in which the ultrasonic image and medical image of the same cross section were displayed in the subject. It is a figure which shows the candidate area | region specified in the medical image. It is a figure which shows the area | region corresponding to a candidate area | region in an ultrasonic image. It is a figure which shows the sound ray in the area | region shown by FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a sound ray, and is a figure which shows the part whose data value is more than predetermined value. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the indicator which shows the evaluation value regarding the analysis result and the degree suitable as an analysis object was displayed. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the indicator which shows the position of an analysis object part was displayed with the analysis result. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the indicator which shows the position of the analysis object part and the evaluation value regarding the grade suitable as an analysis object was displayed with the analysis result. It is explanatory drawing which shows the two-dimensional area | region set in the 2nd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the indicator which shows the two-dimensional area | region shown by FIG. 13 was displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action in 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the part whose evaluation value is more than predetermined value in a sound ray. It is explanatory drawing which shows the analysis object part specified in the 3rd modification of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the indicator which shows the analysis object part shown by FIG. 17 was displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part in which the ultrasonic image and medical image of the same cross section were displayed in the subject. It is a figure which shows the boundary specified in the medical image. It is a figure which shows the part whose evaluation value is more than predetermined value. It is a figure which shows the candidate area | region set in the vicinity of the boundary of a heart and a liver. It is a figure which shows the part whose evaluation value specified in the candidate area | region shown by FIG. 23 is more than predetermined value.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a data analysis apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception beam former 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a storage unit 9.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject through the ultrasonic transducers, and echo signals thereof. Receive.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with the magnetic sensor 10 composed of, for example, a Hall element. The magnetic sensor 10 detects the magnetism generated from the magnetic generator 11 composed of, for example, a magnetic generating coil. A detection signal in the magnetic sensor 10 is input to the display control unit 5. A detection signal in the magnetic sensor 10 may be input to the display control unit 5 via a cable (not shown), or may be input to the display control unit 5 wirelessly. The magnetism generator 11 and the magnetic sensor 10 are provided to detect the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe 2 as will be described later.

  The transmission / reception beam former 3 supplies an electrical signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition to the ultrasonic probe 2 based on a control signal from the control unit 8. The transmission / reception beamformer 3 performs signal processing such as A / D conversion and phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2, and the echo data after the signal processing is sent to the echo data processing unit 4. Output to.

  The echo data processing unit 4 performs processing for creating an ultrasound image on the echo data output from the transmission / reception beamformer 3. For example, the echo data processing unit 4 performs B mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing to create B mode data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 5 includes a position specifying unit 51, an ultrasonic image data creating unit 52, a display image control unit 53, and a corresponding position specifying unit 54. The position specifying unit 51 performs a position specifying function. Specifically, the position specifying unit 51, based on the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 10, in the three-dimensional space, the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the coordinate system with the magnetic generation unit 11 as the origin and Tilt information (hereinafter referred to as “probe position information”) is calculated. Further, the position specifying unit 51 calculates position information (position information of the ultrasonic image) of the echo signal in the coordinate system based on the probe position information.

  The ultrasonic image data creation unit 52 scans the raw data input from the echo data processing unit 4 by a scan converter to create ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic image data is, for example, B mode image data.

  The display image control unit 53 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic image is, for example, a B mode image. Further, as will be described later, the display image control unit 53 displays an indicator indicating the analysis target portion on the ultrasonic image.

  The display image control unit 53 displays a medical image having a modality different from that of the ultrasonic image. This medical image is an image based on medical image data stored in the storage unit 9 as will be described later.

  The corresponding position specifying unit 54 obtains a coordinate conversion formula between the coordinate system of the real-time ultrasonic image and the coordinate system of the medical image, and specifies the position correspondence. The corresponding position specifying unit 54 specifies the corresponding position in the subject from the ultrasonic image and the medical image. Details will be described later. The medical image is an image of the same subject as the real-time ultrasonic image. The corresponding position specifying unit 54 is an example of an embodiment of the corresponding position specifying unit in the present invention.

  The ultrasonic image is an example of an embodiment of a first medical image in the present invention, and the medical image is an example of an embodiment of a second medical image in the present invention.

  The display unit 6 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The operation unit 7 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information. The operation unit 7 is an example of an embodiment of an input unit in the present invention.

  The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown). The control unit 8 reads the control program stored in the storage unit 9 and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  Further, the control unit 8 executes an analysis target specifying function by the analysis target specifying unit 81 and a data analysis function by the data analyzing unit 82 shown in FIG. Details will be described later. The analysis target specifying unit 81 is an example of an embodiment of an analysis target specifying unit in the present invention, and the analysis target specifying function is an example of an embodiment of an analysis target specifying function in the present invention. The data analysis unit 82 is an example of an embodiment of a data analysis unit in the present invention, and the data analysis function is an example of an embodiment of a data analysis function in the present invention.

  The storage unit 9 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition to the control program, the storage unit 9 stores medical image data acquired in advance for the same subject as the real-time ultrasound image.

  The medical image data is volume data of a medical image other than an ultrasound image, for example, X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) image or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) image data. The medical image data is acquired in advance by a medical image apparatus 100 such as an X-ray CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus, and is stored in the storage unit 9. The medical image data is stored in the storage unit 9 together with position information of the medical image in the coordinate system.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. Here, data analysis on ultrasonic image data will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In this example, fractal analysis is performed on the data of the ultrasound image of the liver in the subject. In this example, multi-fractal analysis is performed by the data analysis unit 82 as described later. This multifractal analysis is performed on the data on the sound ray. The analysis result of the multifractal analysis is useful for diagnosis of fat in the liver (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-210316).

  This will be specifically described. First, in step S1, as shown in FIG. 5, an ultrasonic image UI and a medical image MI having the same cross section in the subject are displayed on the display unit 6. The operator transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject using the ultrasonic probe 2 and displays a real-time ultrasonic image UI. Incidentally, in FIG. 5, the symbol Li indicates the liver. Further, the symbol us indicates a region corresponding to the ultrasonic image UI in the medical image MI. The medical image MI is displayed for a wider area than the area us in the same cross section of the ultrasonic image UI and the subject.

  In order to display the medical image MI having the same cross section as that of the ultrasonic image UI, a registration process for specifying the positional correspondence between the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UI and the coordinate system of the medical image is performed. This will be specifically described. The operator causes the display unit 6 to display a medical image MI based on the medical image data stored in the storage unit 9 or the like. The medical image MI is displayed on the display unit 6 together with the ultrasonic image UI.

  When the cross section of the ultrasonic image UI and the cross section of the medical image MI are at different positions in the subject, either one of the ultrasonic image UI displayed on the display unit 6 and the medical image MI are compared or The cross sections of both images are moved to display the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI of the same cross section. The cross section of the ultrasonic image UI is moved by changing the position of the ultrasonic probe 2. The cross section of the medical image MI is moved by operating the operation unit 7 and inputting an instruction to change the cross section.

  Whether the cross sections are the same or not is determined, for example, by referring to a characteristic part by the operator. When the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI for the same cross section are displayed, the operator designates an arbitrary point of the ultrasonic image UI using the trackball of the operation unit 7 or the like. The operator also designates a point in the medical image MI that seems to be the same position as the point designated in the ultrasonic image UI. The operator designates such points for a plurality of points.

  Here, the data of the medical image MI has position information. Therefore, as described above, when a point that is considered to be the same position is specified in the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI, the corresponding position specifying unit 54 determines the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI. The coordinate conversion formula with the coordinate system is obtained, and the position correspondence is specified. Thereby, coordinate conversion between the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UI and the coordinate of the medical image MI becomes possible. This completes the alignment process.

  When the alignment process is completed, the display image control unit 53 displays the medical image MI having the same cross section on the subject as well as the real-time ultrasonic image UI. The operator displays the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI of a cross section suitable as a cross section for performing data analysis by the data analysis unit 82 while changing the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 or performing a turning operation.

  Next, in step S2, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a candidate region R suitable for the analysis target by the data analysis unit 82 in the medical image MI based on the data of the medical image MI. The part suitable for the analysis object is a part where fat is deposited. An analysis result useful for diagnosis can be obtained by performing multifractal analysis on a portion where fat is deposited.

  Here, it is assumed that the data of the medical image MI is data of an X-ray CT image. In X-ray CT image data, a region where fat is deposited has a lower CT value than a region where fat is not deposited. Therefore, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a region having a predetermined CT value or less as the candidate region R, as shown in FIG. The identified candidate region R is a region where fat is considered to be deposited.

  The candidate region R may be displayed on the medical image MI or may not be displayed.

Next, in step S3, as shown in FIG. 7, the corresponding position specifying unit 54 selects a region R _U (region indicated by hatching in FIG. 7) corresponding to the candidate region R specified in step S2. The ultrasonic image UI is specified. The corresponding position determination unit 54, based on the positional relationship specified in step S1, to identify the position of the region R _U.

Next, in step S4, the analysis target specifying unit 81 in the region R _U, specifying an analysis target part to be analyzed the relative ultrasound image UI of data by the data analysis section 82.

Here, the data analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on the data along the sound ray of the ultrasonic wave in step S5 described later. Therefore, the analysis target portion is in a direction along the sound ray. In order to perform multifractal analysis, it is necessary to have a certain data length (signal length) in the sound ray direction. Furthermore, the region R _U is considered to be areas in which there are deposits of fat, although may be suitable as an analysis target, wherein the inside R _U, not have the required signal strength as the analysis target data There is a possibility that there is a part with low reliability. Accordingly, the analysis target specifying unit 81 in the region R _U, identifies the sound ray which is a predetermined length longer than in the sound ray data values of the ultrasound image UI is a predetermined value The above part is specified. The portion specified in this way is a portion whose reliability of data satisfies a predetermined standard as an analysis target.

For example, of the sound ray sl1, sl2, Sl3, sl4, sl5 shown in FIG. 8, a sound ray sl1~sl3 is, when having a predetermined length or longer in the area _{R U,} wherein the analysis target specific The unit 81 specifies a portion Pov in which the data value of the ultrasonic image UI is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in each of the sound rays sl1 to sl3. The predetermined value is set to a value having a signal strength necessary for performing analysis. The portion Pov of the predetermined value or more set to such a value is an example of an embodiment of a portion in which the reliability of ultrasonic image data satisfies a predetermined criterion in the present invention.

  The predetermined value may be set by default (default) or may be set by an operator.

  The data value of the ultrasonic image UI may be a raw data value or a ultrasonic image data value.

The analysis target specifying unit 81, among the sound rays SL1 to SL3, the predetermined value or more portions Pov in the region _{R U,} identifying the longest sound ray. Then, a portion Pov having the specified value or more in the specified sound ray is set as a portion to be analyzed. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the portion Pov2 of the sound ray sl2 that is greater than or equal to the predetermined value is longer than the portion Pov1 of the sound ray sl1 that is greater than or equal to the predetermined value and the portion Pov3 that is greater than or equal to the predetermined value of the sound ray sl3. In this case, the analysis target specifying unit 81 sets a portion Pov2 of the sound ray sl2 that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value as an analysis target portion. Incidentally, in FIG 9, the sound ray sl1~sl3 are shown in the region _{R U.}

  However, the analysis target specifying unit 81 may use portions Pov1 to Pov3 of the sound rays sl1 to sl3 that are equal to or greater than the predetermined value as analysis target portions.

Further, the analyzing target identification unit 81, in each of the sound ray of the region R _U, wherein identifying the predetermined value or more portions Pov, the predetermined value or more portions Pov analysis a predetermined length or more portions It may be a target portion.

  However, the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI may be the degree of data value variation in the same pixel when ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received a plurality of times on the same sound ray. That is, the greater the dispersion degree of the data of the ultrasonic image UI in the same pixel, the lower the reliability of the data in the pixel, and the smaller the dispersion degree of the data of the ultrasonic image UI in the same pixel, the smaller the dispersion degree of the data in the pixel. The reliability of the ultrasonic image UI data is high. Therefore, instead of specifying a portion where the data value of the ultrasonic image UI is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a portion where the degree of dispersion of the data is less than or equal to a predetermined value may be specified. The spread degree is, for example, a standard deviation or variance, or a coefficient of variation obtained by dividing the standard deviation by an average value of a plurality of data.

  Next, in step S5, the data analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on the ultrasonic image data in the analysis target portion specified in step S4. As shown in FIG. 10, the analysis result AR may be displayed on the display unit 6. When there are a plurality of analysis target portions, a plurality of analysis results may be displayed.

  The ultrasonic image data to be subjected to multifractal analysis may be the output signal of the transmission / reception unit 3 or the output signal of the echo data processing unit 4. The output signal of the echo data processing unit 4 may be a signal obtained by B-mode processing, or an I signal or Q signal after orthogonal detection processing. Further, multifractal analysis may be performed on a signal obtained by adding these I signal and Q signal together.

  The display image control unit 53 may display an indicator indicating the position of the analysis target portion at a corresponding position of the ultrasonic image UI. For example, when the portion Pov of the sound ray sl2 that is equal to or larger than the predetermined value is an analysis target portion, the display image control unit 53, as shown in FIG. 11, the predetermined image in the sound ray sl2 in the ultrasonic image UI. The indicator In is displayed at a position corresponding to the portion Pov that is greater than or equal to the value.

  Further, when the sound rays sl1 to sl3 are to be analyzed, the display image control unit 53, as shown in FIG. 12, in the ultrasonic image UI, a portion of the sound rays sl1 to sl3 that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Indicators In1, In2, and In3 are displayed at positions corresponding to Pov.

  The indicators In1 to In3 may have a color (indicated by dots in FIG. 12) according to a degree suitable for analysis. In this example, the degree suitable for the analysis target is the length of the partial Pov that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The indicator In has a color corresponding to the length of the portion Pov equal to or greater than the predetermined value. For example, the indicator In may be displayed in a color determined for each predetermined range with respect to the length of the portion Pov equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The indicator In is an example of an embodiment of an indicator in the present invention.

According to this example, an overlapping portion between a portion suitable as an analysis target specified based on medical image data and a portion whose reliability of the ultrasonic image data satisfies a predetermined criterion is specified as an analysis target portion. The This analysis target part is a part that satisfies a predetermined standard that can obtain a more accurate and useful analysis result. Specifically, when a region where fat is deposited in the liver is difficult to specify in the ultrasound image UI but can be specified in the medical image MI (CT image), this medical image is first displayed. In MI, a candidate region R to be analyzed is specified. This candidate region R is a region where fat is considered to be deposited, and is a region where an analysis result useful for diagnosis can be obtained. Then, in the above ultrasound image UI, in the region R _U corresponding to the candidate region R, the portion having a signal strength necessary to perform the analysis is specified as the analysis target part. Therefore, a portion where a more accurate analysis result can be obtained can be specified as a portion to be analyzed.

  Then, analysis is performed on a portion where an accurate analysis result can be obtained, and it is not necessary to perform analysis for the entire region, so that the time required for analysis can be shortened.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. The data analysis unit 82 may analyze the attenuation rate of the signal in the sound ray direction as data analysis on the ultrasonic image data. When fat deposits in the liver, the attenuation rate of the ultrasonic echo signal increases. Therefore, the data analysis unit 82 analyzes the signal attenuation rate with respect to the analysis target portion specified in step S4.

Next, a second modification will be described. In the second modification, the data analysis unit 82 performs speckle pattern analysis by a known method in order to quantify the tissue properties as data analysis on the ultrasonic image data. This speckle pattern analysis is performed in a two-dimensional region. Therefore, in step S4, the analysis target specifying unit 81, as shown in FIG. 13, the region R _U, sets a two-dimensional area R _2D having a predetermined area S. The area S is a size necessary for speckle pattern analysis. In addition, the area, arrangement _| positioning, shape, etc. of the said two-dimensional area _| region _R2D shown by FIG. 13 are examples, and are not limited to what was shown in figure.

The analysis target specifying unit 81, in each of the two-dimensional area R _2D, data values of the ultrasound image UI to identify the predetermined value or more portions Pov. Then, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies the two-dimensional region R _{2D in} which the portion Pov greater than or equal to the predetermined value is greater than or equal to a predetermined area, and selects the portion Pov greater than or equal to the predetermined value in the specified two-dimensional region R _2D . The part to be analyzed. Further, the analysis target specifying unit 81, the area of the predetermined value or more portions Pov will identify a two-dimensional area R _2D is the largest, said analysis a predetermined value or more portions Pov target portion in the two-dimensional area R _2D It is good.

As shown in FIG. 14, the display image control unit 53 displays an indicator In ′ indicating a portion to be analyzed at a corresponding position of the ultrasonic image UI. In FIG. 14, in the two-dimensional region R _2D , a portion where the portion Pov of the predetermined value or more is a predetermined area or more is specified as an analysis target portion, and an indicator In ′ is displayed.

  Also in the second modification, instead of specifying the portion Pov that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, a portion where the degree of dispersion of the data values of the ultrasonic image UI in the same pixel is equal to or less than the predetermined value may be specified.

  In this second modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the indicator In ′ indicating the analysis target portion has a color corresponding to the area of the portion Pov equal to or greater than the predetermined value (indicated by dots in FIG. 14). You may have. In this case, the area of the portion Pov that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value represents a degree suitable as an analysis target. The greater the area of the portion Pov that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the higher the degree of suitability as an analysis target.

  The data analysis unit 82 performs speckle pattern analysis on the two-dimensional region specified as the analysis target portion.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The block configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the operation will be described below.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 15, in step S <b> 11, similarly to step S <b> 1 of the first embodiment, an ultrasonic image UI and a medical image MI having the same cross section in the subject are displayed on the display unit 6. The ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI are images of a cross section where the data analysis by the data analysis unit 82 is performed.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, the analysis target specifying unit 81 calculates an evaluation value Ev indicating a degree suitable as an analysis target for performing data analysis by the data analysis unit 82. The evaluation value Ev is calculated for each of the corresponding pixels in the ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI based on the data of the ultrasonic image UI and the data of the medical image MI. Also in this example, the medical image MI is an X-ray CT image.

The evaluation value Ev is calculated by, for example, the following (Formula 1).
Ev = f _MI × f _US (Formula 1)
In the above (Formula 1), _fMI is a function related to the data of the medical image MI. Here, the data medical image MI is data of the X-ray CT image, f _MI is higher CT value is low, it is set as the evaluation value Ev becomes high. For example, if the CT value is a, f _MI = k1 / a. k1 is a weighting factor, which may be set by default or may be set by the operator.

In the above (Expression 1), f _US is a function related to the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI. The ultrasonic image UI data may be raw data or ultrasonic image data, as in the first embodiment. In this example, the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI is higher as the data value (signal intensity) is higher. f _US is set such that the higher the data value of the ultrasonic image UI, the higher the evaluation value Ev. For example, if the data value of the ultrasonic image UI is b, f _US = k2 × b may be satisfied. k2 is a weighting factor, which may be set by default or may be set by the operator.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies an analysis target part that is an analysis target for the data of the ultrasonic image UI by the data analysis unit 82 based on the evaluation value Ev. Specifically, first, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a portion where the evaluation value Ev is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the acoustic ray direction. The predetermined value is set so that fat is deposited and a portion having a signal intensity necessary for analyzing ultrasonic image data is specified.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a part Peov (a part indicated by a thick line in FIG. 16) where the evaluation value Ev is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the sound rays sl11 to sl5.

  Next, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies the sound ray having the longest part Peov that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and sets the part Peov of the sound ray that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value as the analysis target part. However, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a sound ray (one or more) in which the portion Peov greater than or equal to the predetermined value is greater than or equal to a predetermined length, and analyzes the portion Peov of the sound ray greater than or equal to the predetermined value. It may be a part.

  Next, in step S14, the data analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on the ultrasonic image data in the analysis target portion specified in step S13. Similar to the first embodiment, the analysis result may be displayed on the display unit 6.

  Also in this example, similarly to the first embodiment, the display image control unit 53 may display an indicator indicating the position of the analysis target portion at a corresponding position of the ultrasonic image UI. Further, the indicator may be displayed in a color corresponding to the evaluation value Ev.

  According to this example, since the portion where the evaluation value Ev is a predetermined value or more is specified as the analysis target portion, the fat is deposited as in the first embodiment, and the ultrasonic image data is A portion having a signal intensity required for performing analysis can be specified as a portion to be analyzed. Therefore, an overlapping portion between a portion suitable as an analysis target specified based on the data of the medical image MI and a portion where the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI satisfies a predetermined standard is specified as the analysis target portion. A portion where a more accurate analysis result can be obtained can be identified as a portion to be analyzed.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. Assuming that the coefficient set according to the depth from the body surface in the ultrasonic image UI is k3, f _US = k2 × k3 may be satisfied in (Expression 1) described above. The coefficient k3 is set to a larger value as the position from the body surface is shallower, and is set to a smaller value as the position from the body surface is deeper. Therefore, the evaluation value Ev becomes larger as it is shallower from the body surface. The coefficient k3 may be set stepwise for each predetermined depth range.

As the depth from the body surface increases, the signal intensity of the data of the ultrasonic image UI decreases. Therefore, in the f _US , the coefficient k3 set according to the depth from the body surface is used as the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI.

Further, in the above (Expression 1), f _US = k2 × b × k3 may be satisfied.

Furthermore, if the degree of dispersion of the data of the ultrasonic image UI in a plurality of adjacent pixels is d, f _US = k2 × (1 / d) in the above (Equation 1). The distribution degree may be, for example, a standard deviation or variance of data of the ultrasonic image UI in the plurality of pixels, or a variation coefficient obtained by dividing the standard deviation of the plurality of data by an average value of these data. There may be.

The larger the S / N ratio of the data of the ultrasonic image UI, the smaller the degree of data variation and the smaller the dispersion degree. On the other hand, the smaller the S / N ratio of the data of the ultrasonic image UI, the greater the degree of data variation and the greater the degree of dispersion. Therefore, in the f _US , the dispersion degree d related to the S / N ratio of the data is used as the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI. The reliability of the ultrasonic image UI data is lower as the spread degree d is higher, and the reliability of the ultrasonic image UI data is higher as the spread degree d is lower. Therefore, f _US is a function in which the evaluation value Ev increases as the dispersion degree d decreases and the reliability of the ultrasonic image UI data increases.

However, as the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI, the dispersion degree d ′ of the data value of the ultrasonic image UI in the same pixel when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received a plurality of times on the same sound ray is used in f _US . Also good. In this case, f _US = k2 × (1 / d ′).

  Next, a second modification will be described. In this second modified example, as in the first modified example of the first embodiment, the data analyzing unit 82 performs sound analysis on the analysis target portion specified in step S13 as data analysis on the ultrasonic image data. You may analyze the attenuation factor of the signal in a line direction.

  Next, a third modification will be described. In the third modification, the data analysis unit 82 performs speckle pattern analysis on a two-dimensional region, as in the second modification of the first embodiment.

  In this example, in step S13, the analysis target part is specified as follows. As shown in FIG. 17, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a part Peov having the evaluation value Ev equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the ultrasonic image UI, and uses the part Peov having the predetermined value or more as an analysis target part. . Although not particularly illustrated here, the analysis target specifying unit 81 may set a plurality of analysis target parts. However, the analysis target specifying unit 81 sets a portion Peov of the predetermined value or more in which an area necessary for speckle pattern analysis is secured as an analysis target portion.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the display image control unit 53 displays an indicator In ′ indicating the analysis target portion at a corresponding position of the ultrasonic image UI.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The block configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and the operation will be described below.

  In this example, the data analysis unit 82 performs tracking processing on ultrasonic image data in order to capture the movement of the liver due to the pulsation of the heart. A specific operation will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S21, an ultrasonic image UI and a medical image MI having the same cross section in the subject are displayed on the display unit 6 in the same manner as in step S1 in the first embodiment and step S11 in the second embodiment. . The ultrasonic image UI and the medical image MI are images of a cross section where the data analysis by the data analysis unit 82 is performed.

  However, in this example, as shown in FIG. 20, the operator transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by positioning the ultrasonic probe 2 so that the liver Li and the heart He are included in the medical image MI. However, the heart He may not be included in the ultrasonic image UI. In FIG. 20, the ultrasound image UI does not include the heart He, and the medical image MI does not include the heart He in the region us corresponding to the ultrasound image UI.

  Next, in step S22, as shown in FIG. 21, a boundary Bo between the heart He and the liver He is specified in the medical image MI. The boundary Bo may be specified by thresholding the data value of the medical image MI. The operator may use the operation unit 7 to input the boundary Bo in the medical image MI.

  Next, in step S23, the analysis target specifying unit 81 calculates an evaluation value Ev ′ indicating a degree suitable as an analysis target for performing data analysis by the data analysis unit 82. Also in this example, the evaluation value Ev ′ is calculated for each pixel.

In the present example, the evaluation value Ev ′ is calculated by, for example, the following (Formula 2).
Ev ′ = (1 / x) × f _US (Formula 2)
In the above (Formula 2), x is the distance (shortest distance) from the boundary Bo specified based on the medical image MI. This distance x is calculated for each pixel of the medical image MI. However, it may not be calculated for all pixels. For example, the distance x may be calculated only for the half on the heart He side in the liver Li.

Also in this example, in the above (Expression 2), f _US is a function related to the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image UI, for example, f _US = k2 × b (b: data value of the ultrasonic image UI). It is. The data value of the pixel corresponding to the pixel of the medical image MI for which the distance x has been calculated and the ultrasonic image UI is used as b.

Also, f _US = k2 × (1 / d) may be used. Furthermore, f _US = k2 × (1 / d ′).

  Next, in step S24, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies an analysis target part that is an analysis target for the data of the ultrasonic image UI by the data analysis unit 82 based on the evaluation value Ev ′. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, the analysis target specifying unit 81 specifies a portion Peov ′ in which the evaluation value Ev ′ is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the ultrasonic image UI, and uses this portion as an analysis target portion. . An indicator indicating the portion to be analyzed may be displayed on the portion Peov ′ that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

  Here, in the liver Li, the closer the distance x from the boundary Bo, the closer to the heart He, so the influence of pulsation by the heart He is greater. Therefore, it is desirable to set the portion where the distance x is as small as possible as the analysis target portion (tracking portion). Therefore, (Expression 2) is an expression in which the evaluation value Ev ′ decreases as the distance x from the boundary Bo increases, and the evaluation value Ev ′ increases as the distance from the boundary Bo decreases. .

  Further, in (Expression 2), the evaluation value Ev ′ decreases as the data value of the ultrasonic image UI decreases, and the evaluation value Ev ′ increases as the pixel of the ultrasonic image UI increases. It is an expression.

  Next, in step S25, the data analysis unit 82 performs tracking on the data of the ultrasonic image UI in the analysis target portion specified in step S24. It is possible to know the elasticity of the liver from the amount of tissue movement obtained by this tracking.

  According to this example, since the portion Peov ′ whose evaluation value Ev ′ is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is specified as the analysis target portion, the distance x from the heart He is as close as possible and the data of the ultrasound image UI is A portion having a signal intensity necessary for performing analysis can be specified as the portion to be analyzed. Since the distance x is specified based on the medical image MI, also in this example, the reliability suitable for the analysis target specified based on the medical image MI and the reliability of the data of the ultrasonic image is a predetermined standard. An overlapping portion with a filling portion can be specified as the analysis target portion.

  Further, although the heart may be difficult to see in the ultrasonic image depending on the position of the ultrasonic probe 2, the boundary between the heart and the liver can be specified by the medical image, so the heart is included in the ultrasonic image. You don't have to. Therefore, in order to track the movement of the liver in the originally intended ultrasound image UI, it is sufficient that the ultrasound image includes the liver.

  In this example, it is not always necessary to specify or input the boundary Bo between the heart He and the liver Li from the image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, the operator sets a candidate region R ′ in the vicinity of the boundary between the heart He and the liver Li in the medical image MI. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the analysis target specifying unit 81, in a region corresponding to the candidate region R ′ and the ultrasonic image UI, a portion Pov whose data value of the ultrasonic image UI is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, Identified as an analysis target part.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, the medical image MI is not limited to an X-ray CT image, and may be an MRI image, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 54 Corresponding position specific | specification part 81 Analysis object specific part 82 Data analysis part

Claims (10)

Data of the first medical image acquired for the subject and data of the second medical image having a modality different from that of the first medical image, the data corresponding to the first medical image corresponding to the subject Based on the data of the second medical image acquired for the position, an analysis target specifying unit that specifies an analysis target part to be analyzed of the data of the first medical image;
A data analysis unit for analyzing the data of the first medical image in the analysis target portion specified by the analysis target specifying unit;
A data analysis apparatus comprising: A data analysis unit for analyzing the ultrasonic image data acquired for the subject;
A medical image having a modality different from that of the ultrasonic image, based on the medical image acquired for the subject and the reliability of the ultrasonic image data at a position corresponding to the medical image data, An analysis target specifying unit for specifying an analysis target part to be analyzed by the data of the ultrasonic image by the data analysis unit;
A data analysis apparatus comprising:   The analysis target specifying unit is configured to analyze an overlapping portion of the subject between a portion suitable as an analysis target specified based on the medical image and a portion where reliability of data of the ultrasonic image satisfies a predetermined criterion. The data analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the data analysis device is specified as a portion.   The analysis target specifying unit specifies a candidate region suitable for an analysis target by the data analysis unit based on the medical image, and then in the region corresponding to the candidate region in the ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image 4. The data analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the analysis target portion is specified by specifying a portion in which the reliability of the data satisfies a predetermined criterion.   The analysis target specifying unit uses, as the ultrasonic image, an evaluation value indicating a degree suitable as an analysis target for the data of the ultrasonic image for each pixel or a plurality of pixels corresponding to the ultrasonic image and the medical image. 4. The data analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the analysis target portion is calculated based on the reliability of the data and the medical image, and the analysis target portion is specified based on the evaluation value. 5.   The data analysis apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a corresponding position specifying unit that specifies a corresponding position in the subject using the ultrasonic image and the medical image.   The data analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the analysis target portion is displayed on at least one of the ultrasonic image and the medical image.   The data analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein an indicator indicating a degree suitable for the analysis target is displayed on the display unit for the analysis target portion. On the computer,
A data analysis function for analyzing the ultrasonic image data acquired for the subject;
A medical image having a modality different from that of the ultrasonic image, based on the medical image acquired for the subject and the reliability of the ultrasonic image data at a position corresponding to the medical image data, An analysis target specifying function for specifying an analysis target part to be analyzed of the data of the ultrasonic image by the data analysis function;
A program for a data analysis apparatus, characterized in that   An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the data analysis apparatus according to claim 1.