JP2015171425A - Ultrasonic observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic observation device capable of setting a region of interest in good operability according to a switched observation mode, even when a plurality of observation modes that require setting of the region of interest are provided.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic observation device includes: a mode processing unit 25 that processes a plurality of observation modes requiring setting of a region of interest (ROI), including a color flow mode and an elastography mode, in addition to a B mode that does not require the setting of ROI; and a ROI memory 38 for storing ROI setting information; and performs control so that, when an observation mode is switched, ROI of the switched observation mode is set according to the setting information stored by the ROI memory 38.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic observation apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image using ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasonic observation devices that generate ultrasonic images representing the acoustic characteristics inside a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the subject and are used for examination and diagnosis of the subject are widely used in the medical field It has become.
In addition, B-mode ultrasound images obtained by receiving an ultrasound echo signal transmitted to the subject and imaging a luminance value according to the amplitude of the echo signal are widely used for examinations and the like. A color flow mode in which blood flow velocity and power value are detected using the Doppler phenomenon of sound waves and blood flow information is displayed as a color image may be used as a mode for observing or displaying (observation mode).
Further, in the observation mode that requires processing and time to generate an image as compared with the B mode, such as the color flow mode, a part of the region desired by the user in the B mode image is represented by a region of interest (Region It is generally performed to display a color flow mode image only within the ROI.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-204729, after switching from the B mode to the color flow mode, setting the ROI at the position desired by the user, switching to the B mode, and then switching to the color flow mode, An ultrasonic observation apparatus that automatically moves to the position of the ROI set in (1) is disclosed.

JP 2001-204729 A

However, the above conventional example discloses only switching between the B mode in which ROI setting is not required and one color flow mode in which ROI setting is required, and different observation modes in which ROI setting is required. Nothing is disclosed about the setting of ROI for the case of switching between. Recently, as an observation mode that requires setting of the ROI, in addition to the color flow mode, an ultrasonic contrast agent containing a suspension containing minute bubbles is intravenously injected into a region to be observed, and the ultrasonic contrast is performed. A color contrast mode in which harmonic components from the agent are displayed as a color image, an elastography mode (abbreviated as ELST) for imaging the elasticity of the tissue, and the like are known.
Since there are a plurality of observation modes as the observation modes that require setting of the ROI in this way, even when switching between different observation modes that require setting of the ROI that is not disclosed in the conventional example, An ultrasonic observation apparatus that can improve the operability for the user is desired.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even in the case of having a plurality of observation modes that require setting of a region of interest, in a state where the operability is good compared to when the observation mode is switched. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic observation apparatus capable of setting a region of interest.

An ultrasonic observation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has a plurality of observation modes in which a region of interest needs to be set, and can be observed by switching from one observation mode to another observation mode different from the observation mode. In the ultrasonic observation apparatus, when the information holding unit that stores the setting information of the region of interest in the observation mode before switching, and when switching from the observation mode before switching to an observation mode different from the observation mode is performed A control unit that performs control to set the region of interest in the observation mode after switching based on the information of the region of interest stored in the information holding unit;
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, even when a plurality of observation modes that require setting of a region of interest are provided, it is possible to set a region of interest in a state with good operability as compared with the case where the observation mode is switched.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing typical processing contents of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state in which the ROI specific to the ELST mode is set by switching to the ELST mode after the B mode is first set. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the color flow mode is first set and the ROI specific to the color flow mode is set, then the mode is switched to the B mode, and further the ELST mode is set and the ROI specific to the ELST mode is set. FIG. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a state in which the color flow mode is first set and the ROI specific to the color flow mode is set, and then the mode is switched to the ELST mode and the ROI before switching is set to take over. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic processing contents (when the display range is not considered) of the second embodiment. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram when considering a case where the display range of the second embodiment is different. FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of typical processing contents in a second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of typical processing contents in a third modification of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe 2 that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave, and the ultrasonic probe 2 that is detachably connected to the ultrasonic probe 2. An ultrasonic observation apparatus main body (hereinafter simply referred to as apparatus main body) 3 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the ultrasonic transducer 5 provided, and a color as a display apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image generated by the apparatus main body 3 And a monitor 4.
The ultrasonic probe 2 has an insertion portion 11 to be inserted into the body and a grip portion 12 provided at the rear end (base end) of the insertion portion 11 and gripped by the user, and is extended from the grip portion 12. The connector 14 at the end of the cable 13 is detachably connected to the apparatus body 3.
The distal end portion 15 of the insertion portion 11 is provided with, for example, a convex surface 15a formed so that the inclined surface is convex outward, and a plurality of ultrasonic vibration elements 5a are arranged in a strip shape along the convex surface 15a. A convex type ultrasonic transducer 5 of the type is provided.

The ultrasonic transducer 5 is connected to one end of a signal line 16 inserted through the insertion unit 11, the gripping unit 12, and the cable 13, and the other end of the signal line 16 is transmitted in the apparatus main body 3 via the connector 14. It is connected to a transmission unit 21 that generates a signal and a reception unit 22 that performs amplification and the like on the received signal.
The transmission unit 21 includes a transmission signal generation circuit 21a that generates a pulse-shaped transmission signal, and the pulse-shaped transmission signal generated by the transmission signal generation circuit 21a is converted into a plurality of superstructures (which constitute the ultrasonic transducer 5). According to the order arranged with respect to the acoustic vibration element 5a, one or more units are sequentially applied, and the applied ultrasonic vibration element 5a transmits an ultrasonic wave. In addition, when applying a transmission signal to the several ultrasonic vibration element 5a sequentially, the ultrasonic vibration element 5a which applies a transmission signal by the multiplexer 23 is switched. If the multiplexer 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 5, there is an advantage that the number of signal lines 16 inserted through the insertion portion 11 or the like can be reduced. In practice, a signal line for transmitting a signal for switching the multiplexer 23 is required, but is omitted in FIG.

The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic vibration element 5a is radiated to the inner side of the body wall that contacts the convex surface 15a. The ultrasonic wave radiated to the inner side of the body wall propagates inside the living body and is reflected at the portion where the acoustic impedance is changed. The reflected ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic vibration element 5a and converted into an electrical signal to be supersonic. A sound wave echo signal (abbreviated as an ultrasonic signal) is input to the receiving unit 22.
The receiving unit 22 receives the ultrasonic signal for a preset reception period after transmitting the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic vibration element 5a. Since the ultrasonic wave propagates through the living body at a substantially constant speed, the reception period corresponds to a display range (display range) displayed as an image from the ultrasonic vibration element 5a.
The receiving unit 22 includes an amplification circuit 22a that amplifies the ultrasonic signal, and the amplified ultrasonic signal is converted from an analog ultrasonic signal to digital ultrasonic signal data by the A / D conversion circuit 22b. A known process such as STC (not shown) is performed and stored in the memory 24. A configuration in which processing such as STC is performed on the downstream side of the memory 24 may be adopted. In the memory 24, N ultrasonic signal data (in other words, N sound ray data) corresponding to the total number N of the ultrasonic vibration elements 5a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 5 are ultrasonic signal data for one frame. (Or ultrasonic image data).

Ultrasonic signal data (or ultrasonic image data) as ultrasonic image information stored in the memory 24 passes through a mode processing unit 25 having a plurality of mode processing circuits to a digital scan converter (abbreviated as DSC) 26. Is output. The DSC 26 performs a process of converting a signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in a direction orthogonal to the convex surface 15a into a normal television scanning video signal, and outputs the generated video signal (image signal) to the color monitor 4 for color An ultrasonic image (also simply referred to as an image) corresponding to the video signal is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 4.
In the present embodiment, the mode processing unit 25 includes a B-mode processing circuit 31 that performs processing for displaying the amplitude of the received ultrasonic echo signal (ultrasonic signal) as an ultrasonic image associated with luminance, and ultrasonic waves. Processing to display blood flow information in color using the Doppler effect (Doppler phenomenon) in which the frequency of the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic wave reflected by the irradiated blood flow portion changes according to the blood flow velocity A color flow mode processing circuit 32 for performing, an elastography mode (ELST mode) processing circuit 33 for performing processing for imaging elasticity (hardness) of a living tissue, and a harmonic image from an ultrasonic contrast agent as a color image A color contrast mode processing circuit 34 to be displayed as an image, and a feature amount extracted from the frequency spectrum of the received ultrasonic signal to form an image, thereby emphasizing and displaying the tissue property Enhancement mode and a (tissue characterization mode hereinafter) processing circuit 35.

The B-mode processing circuit 31 is a known arithmetic processing, and performs filtering processing, logarithmic compression processing, envelope detection processing, GAIN processing, contrast processing, sampling processing, and the like on the input signal, and performs individual processing on the sound ray. A signal representing the echo intensity at the reflection point is generated, and a B-mode ultrasonic signal is generated with each instantaneous amplitude of the signal as a luminance value (in FIG. 1, the B-mode processing circuit 31 is, for example, an envelope curve) It shows that the detection processing circuit 31a is included).
The color flow mode processing circuit (abbreviated as FLOW mode processing circuit in FIG. 1) 32 performs Doppler data (color flow) by performing quadrature detection circuit that performs quadrature detection on the ultrasonic signal and autocorrelation processing on the quadrature detected signal. (Data) is generated. As the color flow mode processing circuit 32, for example, an arithmetic processor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-330472 may be used.

The ELST mode processing circuit 33 determines the elasticity (hardness) of the living tissue from the difference signal of the ultrasonic signals when the pressure change is changed in the living tissue in order to image the elasticity (hardness) distribution of the living tissue. The information is extracted, and a process of displaying in red and blue colors according to the hardness is performed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-60853). In order to give a pressure change to the living tissue, the elasticity of the living tissue is determined from the ultrasonic signal when the strength is high and the ultrasonic signal when the strength is low by increasing the strength of the ultrasonic wave given to the living tissue. (Hardness) information may be extracted, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-82624).
The color contrast mode processing circuit 34 includes a filter circuit 34a including a filter that extracts harmonic components from the ultrasound contrast agent administered to the subject.
For example, the tissue property mode processing circuit 35 analyzes the frequency of the received ultrasonic wave as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5054254 in order to emphasize and display the tissue property, and the frequency calculated by the frequency analysis unit. Characteristics of the subject (biological tissue) by performing attenuation correction processing and approximation processing to reduce the contribution of attenuation generated according to the reception depth and frequency of the ultrasonic wave when the ultrasonic wave propagates to the spectrum An arithmetic circuit 35a having a feature quantity extraction unit for extracting a quantity, and a tissue property judgment unit for judging a tissue characteristic in a predetermined region of the subject (biological tissue) using the feature quantity extracted by the feature quantity extraction unit. Have.

The control unit 36 provided in the apparatus main body 3 controls the operations of the transmission unit 21, the reception unit 22, the memory 24, the mode processing unit 25, and the DSC 26.
Further, the mode selection switch 37 a for the user to select the mode actually used in the mode processing unit 25, the ROI setting unit 37 b for performing the setting operation of the region of interest (abbreviated as ROI), and the ultrasonic image displayed on the color monitor 4 The operation unit 37 includes a display range setting unit 37c for setting a display range (display size). The operation unit 37 is configured using a switch, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.
Note that the B-mode processing circuit 31 performs processing for generating a normal ultrasonic image for a preset reception period (display range) using the total number N of ultrasonic vibration elements 5a. A display range of the B-mode ultrasonic image generated through the B-mode processing circuit 31 is indicated by R in FIG. On the other hand, the color flow mode processing circuit 32 to the tissue property mode processing circuit 35 other than the B mode processing circuit 31 take more time to process than the B mode processing, and therefore it is necessary to substantially set the ROI. Then, processing for generating an ultrasonic image by processing of the selected mode is performed on the set ROI. In FIG. 1, the ROI is set as indicated by the dotted line within the display range R of the B-mode ultrasound image.

In this way, the B mode forms a first observation mode that does not require ROI setting (or does not require ROI setting), and is based on a color flow mode, ELST mode, color contrast mode, and tissue property mode other than the B mode. The plurality of observation modes are different from the first observation mode, and form a second observation mode that requires setting of ROI (requires setting of ROI).
In the present embodiment, as described above, for example, the ROI setting unit 37b for setting the ROI is provided in the operation unit 37. However, the ROI setting unit 37b may be provided outside the operation unit 37.
In addition, the apparatus main body 3 has an ROI memory 38 as an information holding unit (or information storage unit) that stores (stores) ROI setting information (for example, ROI position and ROI size) set by the ROI setting unit 37b. Prepare. The ROI position may be selected and set by the user, such as the center position or the center of gravity position of the ROI size.

The ultrasonic observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a B mode that forms a first observation mode that does not require setting of a region of interest (ROI), a color flow mode that requires setting of the ROI, an ELST mode, and color contrast imaging. A plurality of observation modes including a plurality of second observation modes such as a mode and a tissue property mode, and an ultrasonic observation that enables observation by switching from the observation mode in the plurality of observation modes to another observation mode From the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode, the ROI memory 38 as an information holding unit for storing at least the ROI setting information before switching in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode, After switching to another observation mode belonging to the second observation mode, based on the ROI information stored in the information holding unit, after switching Characterized in that it comprises a control unit 36 that performs control of setting the ROI of the other observation mode.
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the apparatus main body 3 and ultrasonic observation is performed as shown in FIG. 1, the user sets the observation mode in the first step S1 in FIG.

For example, the user operates the mode selection SW 37a of the operation unit 37 to input a designation signal (selection signal) that designates an observation mode that is actually used for ultrasonic observation to the control unit 36, and sets (selects) the observation mode. I do. In step S <b> 2, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the set observation mode is an observation mode that requires setting of ROI (abbreviated as an observation mode that requires ROI in FIG. 2).
As described above, only the B mode is an observation mode that does not require ROI setting, and an observation mode other than the B mode (that is, an observation mode in a color flow mode, ELST mode, color contrast mode, or tissue property mode) is set to ROI. Is an observation mode that requires. If it is determined in the determination process of step S2 that the observation mode requires ROI setting, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that the observation mode does not require ROI setting, the process proceeds to step S3. Move on to processing.

In step S3, the control unit 36 performs control so as to generate an ultrasonic image in the B mode observation mode. The apparatus main body 3 performs processing for generating a B-mode ultrasonic image. The color monitor 4 displays a B-mode ultrasound image (abbreviated as image in FIG. 2). The diagram on the left side in FIG. 3A shows a state in which an ultrasound image is displayed in the B mode. As shown in FIG. 3A and the like, the observation mode in which display is being performed (in this case, B in B mode) may be displayed.
Further, in the state set to the B mode, in the next step S4, the control unit 36 monitors the switching of the observation mode and determines whether or not there is a switching. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation is not performed, the process returns to step S3. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S5.
Since the observation mode requires setting of the ROI in step S5, processing for setting the ROI in this observation mode is performed. In setting the ROI, the user sets (specifies) the position where the ROI is set from the ROI setting unit 37b and the size of the ROI to be set.
The leftmost diagram in FIG. 3B shows the case where the observation mode is the color flow mode (indicated by FLOW), and ROI (F) (specific to the color flow mode corresponding to this color flow mode) is The set state is shown.

Here, ROI (F) indicates that the ROI is set in the color flow mode. Similarly, when the observation mode is not the color flow mode, a unique ROI corresponding to the observation mode is set. The diagram on the right side of FIG. 3A is switched from the observation mode state of B mode to, for example, ELST mode that requires setting of ROI, and in this ELST mode, a unique ROI (E) corresponding to ELST mode is set. Show the state.
In FIG. 3A and subsequent figures, the range of the B-mode ultrasound image is not shown for simplification, but actually, as shown in FIG. 1, the ROI (F ), ROI (E), etc. are set.
When the ROI is set in step S5, the control unit 36 controls to store the set ROI information in the ROI memory 38 in the next step S6. The ROI memory 38 stores setting information of the set ROI (specifically, information on the position of the ROI and the size of the ROI).

In the next step S7, the control unit 36 performs control so as to generate an ultrasonic image in the observation mode (color flow mode in the case of FIG. 3B) set in the set ROI. The apparatus body 3 generates an ultrasonic image in the set observation mode in the set ROI. The color monitor 4 displays the ultrasonic image in the set observation mode on the ROI.
In the next step S8, the control unit 36 monitors switching of the observation mode and determines whether or not there is switching. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation is not performed, the process returns to step S7. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S9.
In step S <b> 9, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the observation mode that requires setting of the ROI has been switched. When the observation mode that does not require ROI setting is switched, the process proceeds to step S3. The middle diagram in FIG. 3B shows a state where the color flow mode is switched to the B mode.

On the other hand, when the observation mode in which the ROI setting is required in step S9 is switched to another observation mode in which the ROI setting is required unlike the observation mode, the process proceeds to the next step S10. . In step S10, the control unit 36 reads the ROI setting information stored in the ROI memory 38, and sets the ROI so as to take over the ROI setting before switching. FIG. 3C shows a state in which the color flow mode is switched from the color flow mode to the ELST mode that requires setting of the ROI, and the ROI (E) is set in the ELST mode. In this case, ROI (E) has the same setting as ROI (F). In this way, when the observation mode that requires setting of the ROI is switched to another observation mode that requires setting of the ROI (without switching to the B mode) unlike the observation mode. Since it is considered that almost the same part is observed, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user manually setting the ROI by setting so as to take over the same ROI setting.
In this embodiment, when the observation mode is switched between a plurality of observation modes that require ROI setting, the control unit 36 takes over the setting of the ROI before switching by using the setting information of the ROI before switching. Thus, in order to set the ROI, the user can reduce the work of setting the ROI at the time of switching so that the operability can be improved.

In step S11 following step S10, the control unit 36 performs control so as to generate an ultrasonic image in the set observation mode (ELST mode in the case of FIG. 3C). The apparatus body 3 generates an ultrasonic image in the set observation mode in the set ROI. The color monitor 4 displays an ultrasonic image in the set observation mode on the ROI. Then, the process of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3B, after switching from an observation mode (for example, color flow mode) that requires setting of ROI to B mode, the mode is switched to an observation mode (for example, ELST mode) that requires setting of ROI again. In this case (in other words, when the observation mode is switched that requires setting of the ROI through the B mode), the observation is switched from the B mode as in the case of the switching as shown in FIG. 3A. Set the ROI specific to the mode.
That is, when switching from the B mode to an observation mode that requires setting of ROI, it is possible to set an ROI specific to the switched observation mode. According to the present embodiment that performs such an operation, even when a plurality of observation modes that require setting of a region of interest (ROI) are provided, a state in which operability is good compared to when the observation mode is switched. The region of interest (ROI) can be set. Therefore, the operability for the user can be improved.
In FIGS. 3A to 3C, the color flow mode and the ELST mode are described as the observation modes that require setting of the ROI. However, in the case of other color contrast modes and tissue property mode modes. It can also be applied to. The same applies to the second embodiment below.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic observation apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The ultrasonic observation apparatus 1B shown in FIG. 4 is ultrasonic image data (or ultrasonic signal data) as two (ultrasonic) image information for calculating a correlation value in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Are stored in memory 24b, 24c. FIG. 4 shows a case where two memories 24b and 24c are provided, but two ultrasonic image data (or ultrasonic signal data) may be stored in one memory.
When switching between observation modes that require setting of ROI is performed through the B mode (in other words, from one observation mode belonging to the second observation mode that requires setting of ROI, the control unit 36 When switching to one observation mode belonging to the same second observation mode), ultrasonic images (data) equivalent to the B mode before and after switching in the observation mode that requires setting of ROI are stored in the memories 24b and 24c. Control to do. The memories 24b and 24c form an image storage unit that stores ultrasonic image data before switching and ultrasonic image data immediately after switching.

More specifically, the memories 24b and 24c perform the first switching as switching from the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode that requires setting of the ROI to the first observation mode that does not require setting of the ROI. The first ultrasonic image information (also referred to as image information), which is information of the ultrasonic image immediately before the first switching in the case of performing, and the first setting that does not require setting of the ROI after the first switching. Second ultrasound image information (image) that is information of the ultrasound image immediately after the second switching when the second switching is performed as the switching from the observation mode to the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode. (Also referred to as information) and (the two pieces of image information) are formed.
In addition, since the ultrasonic image (data) in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode becomes ultrasonic image information of different types, information on the ultrasonic image in such an observation mode is used. Thus, even if the correlation value (of image information) is calculated, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the observation state such as the ultrasonic observation position by the ultrasonic transducer 5 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has changed. It becomes difficult.

For this reason, in this embodiment, in each observation mode belonging to the second observation mode that requires setting of the ROI, ultrasonic image information in B mode that becomes ultrasonic image information of the same type at the time of switching is obtained. The acquired B-mode ultrasound image information is stored in the memories 24b and 24c. Then, as will be described below, the arithmetic circuit 36a performs an operation of calculating a correlation value between the two B-mode ultrasonic image data (or ultrasonic image information) stored in the memories 24b and 24c. Since they are the same type of (ultrasonic) image information, the correlation value is calculated, and whether the ultrasonic observation position in both observation modes is the same depending on whether the value is high or low. It is possible to appropriately evaluate whether or not the observation state has changed.
In addition, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 1B includes a calculation unit that calculates a correlation value between two pieces of ultrasonic image information stored in the memories 24b and 24c in the control unit 36 in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 1B illustrated in FIG. An arithmetic circuit 36a to be formed and a determination circuit 36b that forms a determination unit that determines whether or not the correlation value calculated by the arithmetic circuit 36a is higher than a threshold value as a predetermined value are provided. And the control part 36 controls the operation | movement which sets ROI in the observation mode after switching according to the determination result by the determination circuit 36b.

  The ultrasonic observation apparatus 1B according to the present embodiment performs the first switching as the switching from the observation mode belonging to the plurality of second observation modes that require setting of ROI to the first observation mode that does not require setting of ROI. In the case of switching, the first image information that is information of the ultrasound image immediately before the first switching (or the ultrasound image immediately after the first switching), and the first image information after the first switching. The ultrasound image immediately after the second switching (or the ultrasound immediately before the second switching) when the second switching as the switching from the observation mode to the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode is performed. Memory 24b and 24c as image storage units for storing second image information as image information, and correlation between the first image information and the second image information stored in the image storage unit Perform an operation that calculates a value An arithmetic circuit 36a as a calculation unit, and the control unit 36 selects a region of interest in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode after the second switching based on the correlation value calculated by the calculation unit. Control to set is performed. The contents of “or the ultrasound image immediately after the first switching” or “the ultrasound image immediately before the second switching” shown in parentheses in the wording in this paragraph are described in FIG. 10 described later. .

When the correlation value is a correlation value determination result that is larger (or higher) than a predetermined value (that is, a threshold value), the control unit 36 performs control so as to set the ROI so as to take over the ROI before switching, In the case of a determination result of a small (or low) correlation value in which the correlation value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (that is, a threshold value), the ROI before switching is cleared and the ROI specific to the observation mode after switching is set. To control.
In addition, when the display size of the two ultrasonic images for which the arithmetic circuit 36a calculates the correlation value is set to be different, the control unit 36 adjusts the display size to calculate the correlation value. A size adjustment circuit 36c for adjusting the image size is provided.
FIG. 4 shows a case in which the arithmetic circuit 36a, the determination circuit 36b, and the size adjustment circuit 36c are provided inside the control unit 36. However, all or one or two of them are included in the control unit 36. It may be provided outside. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
Next, the basic operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 5 has a process content obtained by changing a part of the flowchart of FIG. In the description of FIG. 5, for the sake of simplification, the image range in which the correlation value is calculated is the same before and after switching, and is basically described as not being enlarged or reduced. In other words, the case where the display range for changing the size (size) of the ROI in the observation mode that requires setting of the ROI is not changed will be described.

In the first embodiment, when the mode is switched from the B mode to the observation mode that requires the setting of the ROI, the ROI specific to the switched observation mode is set as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. I was doing.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, when switching between observation modes that require setting of ROI with the B mode interposed therebetween, the ultrasonic waves before and after switching When the ultrasonic observation state has not changed, the ROI before switching is taken over, and when the ultrasonic observation state has changed, the state before switching is determined. The ROI is cleared, and a unique ROI is set after switching.
For this reason, the flowchart of FIG. 5 basically changes the contents of the process corresponding to FIG. 3B in the flowchart of FIG.
Specifically, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the part that is switched from the step S9 to the B mode and moves to the step S3 is changed, and the processing from the step S21 to the step S28 is performed. For this reason, only a different part from FIG. 2 in operation | movement of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

Similar to the case of the first embodiment, the processing from step S1 to step S9 is performed. When switching to the observation mode that does not require ROI setting in step S9 (that is, B mode), as shown in step S21, the control unit 36, in the observation mode immediately before switching, corresponds to the B mode equivalent image. Information (abbreviated as B mode equivalent image in FIG. 5) is acquired, and the acquired B mode equivalent image information is stored in the memory 24b, for example, and then switched to the B mode observation mode.
That is, in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode that requires setting of the ROI immediately before switching to the B mode, the memory 24b stores, for example, B-mode equivalent image information (image data) in the last frame of the observation mode. To do. The frame such as the last frame in this case can use B-mode image data in the image range of the ROI in the observation mode that requires setting of the ROI (before switching to the B mode). It can also be performed in the case of a B-mode image range including the range. In the following, the latter case will be mainly described.
The leftmost diagram in FIG. 6 shows the color flow mode when the mode is set to the color flow mode as in the case shown in FIG. 3B as the first observation mode and the mode is switched to the B mode shown on the right side. 7 shows a state in which the B-mode equivalent image information in the last frame (B-mode image range including the ROI image range) is stored in the memory 24b.

In the next step S22, the control unit 36 performs control so as to generate an ultrasonic image in the switched B-mode observation mode. The apparatus main body 3 performs processing for generating a B-mode ultrasonic image. The color monitor 4 displays a B-mode ultrasound image.
In the next step S23, the control unit 36 is set to the observation mode of the B mode, and then monitors the switching of the observation mode to determine whether or not there is a switching. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation is not performed, the process returns to step S22. If the determination result indicates that the switching operation has been performed, the process proceeds to the next step S24.
In step S24, the control unit 36 stores, for example, in the memory 24c, B-mode equivalent image information in the B-mode image range including the ROI in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode immediately after switching (ROI is not determined). FIG. 6 shows a state where the mode is switched from the B mode to the ELST mode. In this case, image information corresponding to the B mode in the first frame when the mode is switched to the ELST mode is stored in, for example, the memory 24c. In FIG. 6, a dotted line indicates that the ROI has not been set yet in the state where the ELST mode has been switched.

In the next step S25, the control unit 36 performs control so that the arithmetic circuit 36a calculates a correlation value. The arithmetic circuit 36a performs an operation for calculating a correlation value for two pieces of image information in the same image range stored in the memories 24b and 24c. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the B-mode equivalent image information of the last frame of the color flow mode and the B-mode equivalent image information of the first frame of the ELST mode are subjected to a correlation calculation for calculating a correlation value. It shows a state. The correlation value is calculated by, for example, setting a standard template image in one image with an appropriate size, and correlating the template image and the other image that have the highest degree of matching while moving in units of one pixel. Calculate as a value.
However, in this embodiment, in order to determine whether or not the observation state has changed, the image range used for calculating the correlation value in the other image is set to a pixel range limited from the position of the template image. You may do it. In addition, when the template image is set to a large sands, the amount of calculation for calculating the correlation value increases. Therefore, the template image may be set to a cross pattern or the like so that the amount of calculation can be reduced.

The correlation value calculated by the arithmetic circuit 36a is sent to the determination circuit 36b. As shown in step S26, the determination circuit 36b compares the calculated correlation value with a threshold value as a predetermined value set in advance, and determines whether or not the correlation value is high.
In the case of the determination result determined in step S26 that the correlation value is not greater than the threshold value (in the case of the determination result having a small correlation value), the control unit 36 performs the first observation stored in the ROI memory 38 in step S27. The ROI setting information in the mode (color flow mode in the example shown in FIG. 6) is cleared, and the process returns to step S5.
In this case, the ROI (E) specific to the ELST mode is set as in the case of the first observation mode that requires setting of the ROI. The uppermost drawing on the rightmost side in FIG. 6 shows such a setting state. In the next step S <b> 6, similarly to the case described above, a process for storing the set ROI information in the ROI memory 38 is performed.

On the other hand, in the case of the determination result determined that the correlation value is larger than the threshold value in the determination process of step S26 (in the case of the determination result having a high correlation value), in step S28, the control unit 36 sets the previous ROI (setting information of the previous ROI). ) Is set to take over. In the specific example of FIG. 6, when the control unit 36 is switched from the B mode to the ELST mode, the ROI (F) set in the color flow mode before switching to the B mode is used as the ROI (E) of the ELST mode. ) Is set to ELST mode ROI (E). The lowermost diagram on the rightmost side in FIG. 6 shows such setting.
After the process of step S28, the process returns to the process of step S7, and the control unit 36 controls to display an ultrasonic image in this ROI (E).
Note that after the process of step S28, the process returns to step S6 instead of step S7, and ROI (F) may be rewritten to ROI (E). That is, the position and size of the ROI are not changed, but the information changed to the ELST mode instead of the color flow mode may be stored in the ROI memory 38.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode in which the ROI setting is necessary is switched by interposing the B mode as the first observation mode in which the ROI setting is not necessary. , After switching to the first observation mode and the first image information in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode immediately before switching to the first observation mode (from the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode) When switching to the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode, the second image information immediately after switching to the observation mode is changed to B-mode equivalent image information that is equivalent (or the same) type of ultrasonic image information. It memorize | stores in memory 24b, 24c as an image memory | storage part.
Then, the arithmetic circuit 36a performs an operation for calculating a correlation value between the same type of image information, the determination circuit 36b determines whether or not the correlation value is high, and the control unit 36 determines that the correlation value is high. In this case, the ROI is set so as to take over the previous ROI, and conversely, in the case of a determination result with a low correlation value, the control unit 36 clears the previous ROI and is specific to the switched observation mode. Control to set ROI.

As described above, in step S21, the B-mode image in the image range of the ROI immediately before switching may be stored in the memory 24b as the B-mode equivalent image. In this case, in step S24, the image range of the same ROI as in step S21 is set as the image range of the observation mode immediately after switching when the ROI is not determined, and the image corresponding to the B mode is stored in the ROI image range. What is necessary is just to memorize | store in 24c. If the observation position changes, the correlation value decreases, and if the observation position does not change, the correlation value increases. Therefore, whether or not the observation state has changed can be determined from the correlation value as in the case of the B-mode image range.
According to this embodiment that operates in this way, when an observation mode that requires setting of ROI is switched through the B mode, when the correlation value is high, observation is performed in almost the same ROI as before switching. Therefore, if the ROI is set to take over the previous ROI and conversely the correlation value is low, it is considered that the ROI is observed in a different ROI from before switching. Control is performed to clear the setting information and set the ROI specific to the switched observation mode.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the ROI can be set appropriately, and the operability for the user can be improved.

In the above-described operation example, it is assumed that the range of ultrasonic images in the two observation modes is the same when performing the calculation for calculating the correlation value in the two observation modes that require setting of the ROI. On the other hand, when performing the calculation to calculate the correlation value, the display range is different, and the size (size) of the image range of the two ultrasonic waves is different when performing the calculation to calculate the correlation value. Alternatively, the calculation for calculating the correlation value may be performed by adjusting the display range so that one display range is the same as the other display range.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a typical operation in such a case. FIG. 7 is a slightly modified content of FIG. The two ultrasound images in the lower row in FIG. 6 have the same image range, but the two ultrasound images shown in the second row in FIG. 7 have different display ranges. For example, the former is a display range of 6 cm, and the latter is For example, the display range is 9 cm. If the image range when the correlation value is calculated differs because the display range is different, the correlation value is calculated in accordance with the display range as follows.

As shown in the lowermost row in FIG. 7, for example, the former display range is not changed, and the latter display range is adjusted to match the former display range. Thus, in order to match the display ranges of the two, the size adjustment circuit 36c performs image processing for reducing or enlarging one image, and performs size adjustment (range adjustment) for aligning the sizes (ranges) of the two images.
As described with reference to FIG. 6, the arithmetic circuit 36a performs an operation for calculating a correlation value for the two pieces of image information after the size adjustment, and the determination circuit 36b determines whether the correlation value is high. Then, similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 6, the control unit 36 sets the ROI so as to take over the previous ROI in the case of the determination result having a high correlation value, and conversely, the correlation value is low. In the case of the determination result, the control unit 36 controls to clear the previous ROI and to set the ROI specific to the switched observation mode.
By processing in this way, even when the display ranges are different, it is possible to appropriately calculate the correlation value and appropriately set the ROI.
Further, even when the display range is set differently as in the first modification shown in FIG. 8, the RF data having the same sampling rate is used to prevent the image from being deteriorated when the display range adjustment process is performed. You may make it perform the calculation which calculates a correlation value.

As shown in the second row in FIG. 8, raw ultrasound image data (as image information when the display ranges in the two observation modes (color flow mode and ELST mode in FIG. 8) that require ROI setting are different are shown. For example, the ultrasonic signal data is used as high-frequency data (RF data) from the memory 24b in which the ultrasonic signal data passed through the receiving unit 22 is stored.
Then, similarly to the case of FIG. 7, one display range may be set to be the same as the other display range, and the calculation for calculating the correlation value may be performed. In FIG. 8, the latter display range is set to match the former display range.
However, in this case, an operation for calculating a correlation value is performed using RF data acquired in the same display range by setting to match the display range. In this way, in order to perform an operation for calculating a correlation value using the RF data acquired when setting one display range to the other display range, image information in which the display range is adjusted by image processing is obtained. It is possible to prevent image degradation that occurs during image processing in the case of generation. Therefore, a highly accurate correlation value can be calculated. The former display range may be set to match the latter display range.

FIG. 9 shows a part of typical processing in the case of the second modified example in which the setting of the display range is taken into consideration using the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 9, different processing is performed depending on whether or not the correlation value can be calculated using RF data.
In the configuration of the apparatus main body 3, when the memories 24b and 24c are configured to be able to store image information using RF data, the memories 24b and 24c store the RF data when performing the calculation for calculating the correlation value. Remember.
On the other hand, in the configuration of the apparatus main body 3, when the memories 24b and 24c cannot store image information using RF data, the memories 24b and 24c store image information obtained by further processing the RF data. . Then, the control unit 36 determines which of the memories 24b and 24c corresponds. The information corresponding to which is stored in a memory such as the ROI memory 38, and the control unit 36 refers to the information stored in the memory so that the memories 24b and 24c can store image information using RF data. It may be determined whether or not.

In the process of this modification, only steps S21 to S28 in FIG. 5 are changed to different processes, and therefore, only process parts different from FIG. 5 are shown in FIG. In the case of a determination result that is not an observation mode that requires setting of the ROI in the process of step S9 in FIG. 5 (that is, in the case of a determination result that is switched to the B mode), as shown in step S31 in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the setting using the RF data is made.
When the calculation circuit 36a that performs the calculation for calculating the correlation value is set to use the RF data, the process proceeds to the process of step S21a, and is not set to use the RF data or cannot be set to use the RF data. In that case, the process proceeds to step S21b.
When the setting using the RF data is made, in step S21a, the control unit 36 stores the image information corresponding to the B mode in the memory 24b using the RF data immediately before the switching (observation mode to the B mode). Further, display range information in the observation mode before switching is stored in a memory such as the ROI memory 38.

Note that display range information may be stored in the memory in a step prior to step S21a (for example, a step between steps S5 to S9 shown in FIG. 5). The processing after step S21a performs the processing of the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 8, and the processing after step S21b performs the processing of the explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
After the process of step S21a, the processes of steps S22a and S23a are performed in the same manner as steps S22 and S23 in the case of FIG. If the observation mode is not switched in step S23a, the process returns to step S22a. On the other hand, if there is switching, the process proceeds to step S32a.
In step S32a, the control unit 36 is the same as the display range when the display range in the switched observation mode is the observation mode before the B mode (information on this display range is stored in step S21a). It is determined whether or not.
When the display ranges are not the same or when the display range of the subsequent observation mode is not yet set, in the next step S33a, the control unit 36 adjusts the setting of the subsequent display range to the previous display range (same Set the display range as follows. After setting the display range, as shown in step S34a, the control unit 36 performs control so that the B-mode equivalent image information using the RF data immediately after the observation mode is switched is stored in the memory 24c.

In step S33a, since the display range is set so that the display range in the subsequent observation mode matches the display range in the previous observation mode, the memory 24c stores RF data in the same display range as in step S21a. B-mode equivalent image data is stored. On the other hand, in the case of the determination result of the same display range in step S32a, the process of step S34a is performed without performing the process of step S33a.
After the processing in step S34a, in the same manner as in FIG. 5, in step S25, the arithmetic circuit 36a performs an operation for calculating a correlation value between two pieces of image information (as RF data) stored in the memories 24b and 24c.
In step S26 subsequent to step S25, the determination circuit 36b determines whether or not the correlation value is greater than a threshold value. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.
On the other hand, if the RF data is not set or cannot be set in the determination process in step S31, as shown in step S21b, the control unit 36 stores the image information corresponding to the B mode that is not the RF data immediately before switching in the memory 24b. To remember. Further, display range information in the observation mode before switching is stored in a memory such as the ROI memory 38. Note that display range information may be stored in the memory in a step prior to step S21b (steps from step S5 to S9 in FIG. 5).

After the process of step S21b, steps S22b, 23b, and 32b that are the same processes as steps S22a, 23a, and 32a are performed. In step S32b, when the display ranges are not the same or when the display range of the subsequent observation mode has not been set, the control unit 36 (the size adjustment circuit 36c) in the next step S33b Adjust the display range so that the setting matches the previous display range (same). The size adjustment circuit 36c adjusts the image data of the latter display range to the image data of the same display range as the former case.
After adjusting the display range, as shown in step S34b, the control unit 36 performs control so as to store the B-mode equivalent image data immediately after switching of the observation mode in the memory 24c.
The memory 24c stores B-mode equivalent image data having the same display range as in step S21b. On the other hand, in the case of the determination result of the same display range in step S32b, the process of step S34b is performed without performing the process of step S33b.

After the process of step S34b, the process proceeds to step S25, and thereafter, the process described in FIG. 5 is performed.
According to this modification, when the observation mode that requires ROI setting is switched through the B mode, the processing in FIG. 5 or 6 when the display range is the same and the processing in FIG. 7 when the display range is different. And the operation | movement corresponded to explanatory drawing of FIG. 8 can be performed. The effects corresponding to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 can be obtained.
Instead of performing the processing described with reference to FIG. 9, some processing may be changed as shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a process in which the processes in steps S21a, S21b and steps S34a, 34b in FIG. 9 are changed to steps S41a, S41b and steps S42a, 42b, respectively.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the color flow mode is switched to the B mode, the observation position immediately before the color flow mode is switched can be approximated to be almost the same as that immediately after the switching to the B mode. For this reason, the (ultrasonic) image information corresponding to the B mode immediately before the switching of the color flow mode can be approximated to be almost the same (equal) as the (ultrasonic) image information of the B mode immediately after the switching to the B mode. Such approximation is applied to the process of FIG.
Specifically, the processing in step S21a in FIG. 9 can be changed to store B-mode ultrasound image data using RF data immediately after switching to the B mode as shown in step S41a in FIG. Further, the display range is stored in the same manner as in step S21a of FIG.
The processing in step S21b in FIG. 9 can be changed to store B-mode ultrasound image data immediately after switching to the B mode (without using RF data) as shown in step S41b in FIG. Further, the display range is stored in the same manner as in step S21b of FIG.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, it can be approximated that the observation position immediately after switching to the ELST mode when switching from the B mode to the ELST mode has hardly changed from that immediately before switching to the B mode. For this reason, the (ultrasonic) image information corresponding to the B mode immediately after switching the ELST mode can be approximated to be almost the same (equal) as the (ultrasonic) image information of the B mode immediately before switching from the B mode to the ELST mode. Such approximation is applied to the process of FIG.
Specifically, the process in step S34a in FIG. 9 can be changed to store B-mode ultrasound image data using RF data immediately before switching to the B mode as shown in step S42a in FIG.
The processing in step S34b in FIG. 9 can be changed to store B-mode ultrasound image data immediately before switching to the B mode (without using RF data) as shown in step S42b in FIG.
Other processes in FIG. 10 are the same as those in FIG. Which of the processes in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 is used may be selected by the user or the like from the operation unit 37, for example. This modification has almost the same effect as the third modification.
Note that an embodiment configured by partially combining the embodiments including the above-described modifications also belongs to the present invention. Further, by using an extracorporeal ultrasonic probe used outside the body instead of the ultrasonic probe 2 used inside the body, it can be used outside the body.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic observation apparatus, 2 ... Ultrasonic probe, 3 ... Apparatus main body, 4 ... Monitor, 5 ... Ultrasonic vibrator, 5a ... Ultrasonic vibration element, 11 ... Insertion part, 15a ... Convex surface, 21 ... Transmission part, 22 ... Receiving unit, 24 ... Memory, 25 ... Mode processing unit, 26 ... DSC, 31 ... B mode processing circuit, 32 ... Color flow mode processing circuit, 33 ... ELSTF mode processing circuit, 34 ... Color contrast mode processing circuit, 35 ... Tissue property mode processing circuit 36 ... Control part 36a ... Calculation circuit 36b ... Determination circuit 36c ... Size adjustment circuit 37 ... Operation part 37a ... Mode selection SW 37b ... ROI setting part 37c ... Display range setting Part, 38 ... ROI memory,

Claims (8)

An observation in the plurality of observation modes has a plurality of observation modes including a first observation mode that does not require setting of a region of interest and a plurality of second observation modes that require setting of the region of interest. In an ultrasonic observation device that can be observed by switching from one mode to another,
An information holding unit for storing setting information of a region of interest at least before switching in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode;
When switching from the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode to another observation mode belonging to the second observation mode, based on the information on the region of interest stored in the information holding unit A control unit that performs control to set a region of interest in the other observation mode after switching;
An ultrasonic observation apparatus comprising: When performing the first switching as the switching from the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode to the first observation mode, the ultrasound image immediately before the first switching or the ultrasound immediately after the first switching The first switching is performed as the switching from the first observation mode to the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode after the first switching and the first image information which is image information. An image storage unit that stores ultrasonic image immediately after the second switching in the case or second image information that is information of the ultrasonic image immediately before the second switching;
A calculation unit that performs a calculation of calculating a correlation value between the first image information and the second image information stored in the image storage unit;
With
The control unit performs control to set a region of interest in the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode after the second switching based on the correlation value calculated by the calculation unit. Item 2. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to Item 1. The control unit controls to take over the region of interest stored in the information holding unit as the region of interest in the other observation mode after the switching,
After the first switching from the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode to the first observation mode, the switching from the first observation mode to the observation mode belonging to the second observation mode is further performed. When the switching of 2 is performed, the control unit controls to set the region of interest specific to the observation mode after the second switching as the region of interest of the observation mode after the second switching. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit, when the second switching is performed,
When the correlation value is higher than a predetermined value, the setting information of the region of interest in the observation mode before the first switching stored in the information holding unit is stored in the observation mode after the second switching. We perform control to set to take over as setting information of area of interest,
When the correlation value is lower than a predetermined value, the setting information of the region of interest in the observation mode before the first switching stored in the information holding unit is cleared, and the observation after the second switching is performed. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mode of interest is controlled to be set to a region of interest unique to the second switched observation mode.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first image information and the second image information are high-frequency data for B mode.   Further, when performing the calculation for calculating the correlation value by the calculation unit, when the image size between the first image information and the second image information is different, at least so as to obtain the same image size. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an image size adjustment unit that adjusts one image information.   The computing unit includes B-mode ultrasound image information acquired in the last frame of the observation mode immediately before the first switching as the first image information immediately before the first switching, and immediately after the second switching. The calculation for calculating the correlation value with the B-mode ultrasound image information acquired in the first frame of the observation mode immediately after the second switching as the second ultrasound image is performed. Or the ultrasonic observation apparatus of 4. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information holding unit stores information on a position of the region of interest and a size of the region of interest as the setting information.

Images