JP2017012598A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can be controlled in accordance with detailed movement of a probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a reception part 20 generating a reception signal on the basis of ultrasonic waves reflected on a subject 18 and received by a probe 14; a width detecting part 40 detecting a reception opening width indicating a width where the probe 14 receives the ultrasonic waves, on the basis of the reception signal; and a condition setting part 44 exchanging the condition of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on the basis of variation of the reception opening width. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes a contact determination part 42 determining whether or not the probe 14 gets in touch with the subject 18 on the basis of the reception signal. The condition setting part 44 exchanges the condition of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from a first condition to a second condition on the basis of reduction in the reception opening width, and setting the condition of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a third condition when determining that the probe 14 does not get in touch with the subject 18 at the time when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the first condition or the second condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for giving a command to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the movement of a probe.

  An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is widely used as an apparatus for observing a subject. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus generates a tomographic image of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound and displays it on a monitor. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when the probe contacts an appropriate part of the subject, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to and received from the part of interest of the subject, and a tomographic image of the part of interest is displayed.

  In order for the user to give a command to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and cause the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to execute the command, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with input devices such as a keyboard, a switch, a mouse, and a trackball. While referring to the image displayed on the monitor, the user contacts the probe with an appropriate posture at an appropriate position of the subject, operates the input device, and gives a command to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In the operation of determining the position of the probe while referring to the monitor and further operating the input device, attention should be paid not to move the probe due to camera shake during operation of the input device. In order to reduce the burden of such work, it is considered to use a probe as an input device as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

JP 2005-279096 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-238944 JP 2008-295859 A International Publication Pamphlet 2014-111242

  When the probe is used as an input device, a command is associated with the movement of the probe such as contact with the subject, movement on the subject, and separation from the subject. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a sensor is provided in the probe, and the movement of the probe is detected by this sensor. However, such a configuration has a problem that the hardware of the probe becomes complicated. Therefore, as described in Patent Document 4, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that detects movement of a probe based on a change in data based on received ultrasonic waves has been considered.

  In general, when a probe is used as an input device, a command is associated with each of various movements of the probe, thereby improving the usability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 4, it is difficult to say that the commands are associated with the detailed movement of the probe.

  An object of this invention is to give a command to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the detailed movement of a probe.

  The present invention relates to a receiving unit that generates a reception signal based on an ultrasonic wave reflected by a subject and received by a probe in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a reception opening that represents a width of the ultrasonic wave received by the probe. A width detection unit that detects a width based on the reception signal, and a state setting unit that switches a state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a change in the reception aperture width.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched based on the reception aperture width. In general, in a probe, an ultrasonic wave is received in a region in contact with a subject, and a reception opening width is determined according to this region. Therefore, the state in which the probe is in contact with the subject is changed, and the width of the region in which the probe is in contact with the subject is changed, so that the reception aperture width is changed. As a result, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be switched based on the change in the state of the probe.

  Preferably, a contact determination unit that determines whether or not the probe is in contact with the subject based on the reception signal, the state setting unit based on a decrease in the reception aperture width, The state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state, and the probe is in contact with the subject when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the first state or the second state. If it is determined that there is no, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the third state.

  In the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state based on the decrease in the reception aperture width. In general, the receiving aperture width decreases in the process in which the probe is moving away from the subject. Therefore, for example, it is possible to perform processing in which the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state while the probe is moving away from the subject. In the present invention, when it is determined that the probe is not in contact with the subject, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the third state. According to the present invention, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is changed from the state in which the probe is in contact with the subject to the first state and the second state by the user's operation of separating the probe from the subject. And it can switch in order of a 3rd state.

  Preferably, a stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal, and an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe. The state setting unit switches the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a decrease in the reception aperture width after it is determined that the probe is stationary, and the first state is a time Each of the ultrasound images that are sequentially generated as time passes is displayed on the display unit as a moving image, and the second state and the third state are among the plurality of ultrasound images that are sequentially generated as time passes. One of the images is displayed on the display unit as a still image, and the still images in the second state and the third state are the probes among the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time. Is stationary It is an image when it is the determination of.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched based on the decrease in the receiving aperture width after it is determined that the probe is stationary. Therefore, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched through the user's operation of stopping the probe. This reduces the possibility that the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be switched against the user's intention. Further, in the present invention, the still images in the second state and the third state are images when it is determined that the probe is stationary among a plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time. is there. Thereby, for example, an operation of stopping the probe in order to acquire a still image for diagnosis can also serve as a part of an operation of switching the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Preferably, a stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal is provided, and the state setting unit receives the reception after it is determined that the probe is stationary. The state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched based on the decrease in the opening width.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched based on the decrease in the receiving aperture width after it is determined that the probe is stationary. Therefore, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched through the user's operation of stopping the probe. This reduces the possibility that the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be switched against the user's intention.

  Preferably, a plurality of lines arranged on the observation surface of the subject, wherein each line corresponds to a plurality of lines from the probe toward the subject based on the received signal. Each line data is data in which reception data is associated with each position on the corresponding line, and the width detection unit is based on the plurality of line data. The reception aperture width is detected.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of reception ultrasonic beams are formed, and the reception aperture width is detected by processing suitable for receiving ultrasonic waves along each reception ultrasonic beam.

  Preferably, the width detection unit detects the reception aperture width based on data excluding data corresponding to a region where multiple reflections of ultrasonic waves occur among the plurality of line data.

  According to the present invention, the reception aperture width is detected after the influence of the multiple reflection of ultrasonic waves is reduced, and the reception aperture width is detected more accurately.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the present invention provides a receiving unit that generates a reception signal based on an ultrasonic wave reflected by a subject and received by a probe, and a detachment in which the probe is moving away from the subject. A separation detection unit that detects a process based on the received signal, and a state setting unit that switches a state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when the separation process is detected.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched when a separation process is detected for the probe. Therefore, for example, it is possible to switch the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the user's operation of separating the probe from the subject.

  Preferably, a contact determination unit that determines whether or not the probe is in contact with the subject based on the reception signal, and the state setting unit detects the separation process when the separation process is detected. The state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state, and the probe is in contact with the subject when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the first state or the second state. When it is determined that there is no, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the third state.

  In the present invention, when the separation process is detected, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state, and it is further determined that the probe is not in contact with the subject. In this case, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the third state. According to the present invention, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is changed from the state in which the probe is in contact with the subject to the first state and the second state by the user's operation of separating the probe from the subject. And it can switch in order of a 3rd state.

  Preferably, a stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal, and an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe. The state setting unit switches the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when the separation process is detected after it is determined that the probe is stationary. In addition, each of the ultrasonic images sequentially generated along with the second state and the third state is displayed as a moving image on the display unit. Are displayed on the display unit as still images, and the still images in the second state and the third state are selected from the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time by the probe. That it was stationary Is an image of when is.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched when the separation process is detected after it is determined that the probe is stationary. Therefore, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched through the user's operation of stopping the probe. This reduces the possibility that the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be switched against the user's intention. Further, in the present invention, the still images in the second state and the third state are images when it is determined that the probe is stationary among a plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time. is there. Thereby, for example, an operation of stopping the probe in order to acquire a still image for diagnosis can also serve as a part of an operation of switching the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Preferably, the apparatus includes a stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal, and the state setting unit performs the separation process after it is determined that the probe is stationary. Is detected, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched.

  According to the present invention, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched when the separation process is detected after it is determined that the probe is stationary. Therefore, for example, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched through the user's operation of stopping the probe. This reduces the possibility that the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be switched against the user's intention.

  Preferably, the detachment detection unit detects the detachment process based on a change in a received signal when the probe leaves the subject.

  Generally, when the probe leaves the subject, a change inherent to the state in which the probe is away from the subject appears in the received signal. Based on such a phenomenon, the present invention detects the separation process based on a change in the received signal when the probe leaves the subject.

  Preferably, the second state is a state in which the state returns to the first state when a predetermined release condition regarding the received signal is satisfied.

  Preferably, the third state is a state in which a command is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a change in the received signal in accordance with the movement of the probe.

  According to the present invention, for example, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the third state, a command can be given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a user operation of moving the probe, and the burden on the user is reduced. .

  Preferably, an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic wave received by the probe is provided, and the first state displays each of the ultrasonic images that are sequentially generated as time passes as a moving image. The second state and the third state are states in which one of the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated with time is displayed on the display unit as a still image.

  According to the present invention, for example, an operation for acquiring a diagnostic still image can be performed by a user operation of moving a probe.

  According to the present invention, a command can be given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the detailed movement of the probe.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing reference frame data. It is a flowchart of a state switching process. It is a figure which shows the example of a contact correlation value, a correlation value between frames, and a receiving aperture width. It is a figure which shows the image which the tomographic image data represents, and the image displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the motion of the probe for producing | generating command information. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed in a soft freeze on state. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a state switching process. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a state switching process.

(1) Configuration and Basic Operation of Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transmission / reception control unit 10, a transmission unit 12, a probe 14, a reception unit 20, a phasing addition unit 22, an ultrasonic image generation unit 24, a digital scan converter (DSC) 26, a device control unit 28, A motion detection unit 30, a display unit 52, a cine memory 54, and a storage unit 56 are provided. Among these components, the transmission / reception control unit 10, the phasing addition unit 22, the ultrasonic image generation unit 24, the DSC 26, the apparatus control unit 28, and the motion detection unit 30 are configured by an arithmetic processing device such as a processor, for example. The As the arithmetic processing device, for example, a device in which each component is configured by a program is used.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject 18 by the probe 14 and displays a tomographic image on the display unit 52 as a monitor. In addition, a command corresponding to a change in the received signal based on the received ultrasonic wave in the probe 14 is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a command is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the movement of the probe 14. In the present specification, any signal or data transmitted in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the received ultrasonic wave is defined as a received signal.

  The operation state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a normal state, a state where soft freeze is on, and a state where temporary freeze is on. The normal state is an operation state in which a moving image is displayed on the display unit 52 based on tomographic image data sequentially generated with time.

  The soft freeze is a function that gives a command to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the movement of the probe 14 while displaying a still image on the display unit 52. The soft freeze is on. This is an operating state for executing When soft freeze is on, the components for transmitting and receiving ultrasound are operating. This component is, for example, a component excluding the ultrasonic image generation unit 24 and the DSC 26. Generally, freezes that display still images and turn off circuits that transmit and receive ultrasound are known, but soft freezes are generally used in that they keep circuits that transmit and receive ultrasounds on. Different from typical freeze.

  Temporary freeze refers to a function that performs the same function as soft freeze, but returns to a normal state when a predetermined release condition is satisfied. In the following description, a normal state, a soft freeze on state, and a temporary freeze on state are referred to as a normal state, a soft freeze on state, and a temporary freeze on state, respectively.

  A configuration and processing for displaying a tomographic image in a normal state will be described. The probe 14 includes a plurality of vibration elements 16. The plurality of vibration elements 16 are arranged in the x-axis direction along a surface that is brought into contact with the subject 18.

  At the time of measurement, the probe 14 is brought into contact with the surface of the subject 18. Each vibration element 16 generates an ultrasonic wave according to the transmission signal output from the transmission unit 12. The transmission unit 12 adjusts the delay time of the transmission signal output to each vibration element 16 according to control by the transmission / reception control unit 10, forms a transmission ultrasonic beam in the probe 14, and further transmits the transmission ultrasonic beam. The subject 18 is scanned. For example, the transmission ultrasonic beam may be scanned linearly in the x-axis direction with the radiation direction in the positive y-axis direction. Alternatively, the transmission ultrasonic beam may be rotationally scanned (sector scan) using the radiation point of the transmission ultrasonic beam as a fixed end on the probe 14.

  As another transmission / reception mode, the transmission unit 12 may output a transmission signal to each vibration element 16 so that a plane wave is transmitted from the probe 14 to the subject 18. For example, when a plurality of vibration elements 16 are arranged in a straight line, the intensity and output timing of the transmission signal output to each vibration element 16 are the same, and ultrasonic waves of the same intensity are simultaneously applied to each vibration element 16. generate. As a result, a plane wave having a wavefront parallel to the contact surface of the probe 14 is generated. When the plurality of vibration elements 16 are not arranged in a straight line, the intensity of the ultrasonic wave generated by each vibration element 16 or the ultrasonic wave generated by each vibration element 16 according to the position of each vibration element 16 You may adjust the timing to perform.

  When the ultrasonic wave reflected in the subject 18 is received by each vibration element 16 of the probe 14, each vibration element 16 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave to the receiving unit 20. The receiving unit 20 performs processing such as amplification and quadrature detection on each signal output from each vibration element 16 under the control of the transmission / reception control unit 10. As a result, the reception unit 20 generates reception baseband signals of a plurality of channels corresponding to the plurality of vibration elements 16 and outputs the reception baseband signals to the phasing addition unit 22.

  The phasing addition unit 22 operates as a line data generation unit, and generates a plurality of reception line data corresponding to a plurality of reception ultrasonic beams by phasing and adding reception baseband signals of a plurality of channels. When the transmission ultrasonic beam directed in the y-axis direction is linearly scanned in the x-axis direction, the phasing addition unit 22 transmits / receives each reception ultrasonic beam directed in the same direction as each transmission ultrasonic beam. The received line data corresponding to each received ultrasonic beam is generated in accordance with 10 controls. Even when a plane wave is transmitted from the probe 14, the phasing adder 22 generates a plurality of similar reception line data.

  That is, the plurality of reception line data correspond to a plurality of reception beam lines that are directed in the depth direction (y-axis direction) of the subject 18 and are arranged in the x-axis direction. Each reception line data is data in which reception data is associated with each position (each y coordinate value) on the corresponding reception beam line.

  The transmission / reception control unit 10, the transmission unit 12, the probe 14, and the reception unit 20 repeatedly scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface where the tomographic image is observed. The phasing / adding unit 22 sequentially generates frame data as time passes in response to repeated scanning of the ultrasonic beam, and sequentially outputs the frame data to the ultrasonic image generating unit 24 and the motion detecting unit 30. .

  When a plane wave is transmitted from the probe 14, the transmission / reception control unit 10, the transmission unit 12, the probe 14, and the reception unit 20 transmit the plane wave to the observation plane where the tomographic image is observed. And the reception of the reflected ultrasonic wave accompanying this is repeatedly performed. The phasing / adding unit 22 sequentially generates frame data over time in response to repeated ultrasonic transmission / reception.

  The ultrasonic image generation unit 24 performs signal processing for adjusting visibility such as gain correction, log compression, and filter processing on the frame data, and represents a tomographic image that represents a plurality of pixels arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Data is generated and output to the DSC 26. The DSC 26 converts the tomographic image data into a video signal for performing image display and outputs the video signal to the apparatus control unit 28. The apparatus control unit 28 causes the display unit 52 to display an image based on the tomographic image data sequentially output from the DSC 26 as a moving image.

  The apparatus control unit 28 stores the tomographic image data of a predetermined number of frames in the cine memory 54 retroactively from the tomographic image data to be displayed. The apparatus control unit 28 may display an image based on each tomographic image data stored in the cine memory 54 on the display unit 52 as a still image or a moving image based on a user operation.

(2) State switching process The process which switches the operation state of an ultrasonic diagnosing device is demonstrated. The state switching process is performed according to the movement of the probe 14. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the normal state recognizes that the probe 14 is stationary while being in contact with the subject 18 and then recognizes that the probe 14 has moved away from the subject 18, The tomographic image when the probe 14 is frozen and the probe 14 is stationary is displayed on the display unit 52 as a still image.

(2-1) Configuration for Executing State Switching Processing The state switching processing is performed based on information output from the motion detection unit 30 to the device control unit 28. The motion detection unit 30 includes a buffer memory 32, an interframe correlation calculation unit 36, a stillness determination unit 38, a width detection unit 40, a contact determination unit 42, and a motion frame generation unit 34. Some or all of these components may be configured inside the apparatus control unit 28.

  The buffer memory 32 stores frame data of a predetermined number of frames retroactively from when the latest frame data is output from the phasing adder 22. The frame data stored before the predetermined number of frames may be deleted every time new frame data is stored. The inter-frame correlation calculation unit 36 reads a plurality of frame data generated at different times from the buffer memory 32 and obtains an inter-frame correlation value representing the degree of approximation of the plurality of frame data.

  For example, the inter-frame correlation calculation unit 36 reads the latest frame data and the previous frame data from the buffer memory 32, and obtains an inter-frame correlation value for the latest frame data and the previous frame data. The correlation calculation is defined as, for example, an operation of multiplying data values at the same position on the observation surface and adding and summing the multiplication values obtained for each position. The inter-frame correlation value may be standardized so as to be a value between 0 and 1. Further, the inter-frame correlation value may be obtained for a region of interest set in advance on the observation surface. The inter-frame correlation value defined in this way means that the larger the value is, the closer the two frame data are. Under the condition that the living tissue in the subject 18 does not move, the inter-frame correlation value increases as the probe 14 moves slower. The interframe correlation calculation unit 36 generates an interframe correlation value each time frame data is newly output from the phasing addition unit 22 to the buffer memory 32, and outputs the interframe correlation value to the apparatus control unit 28 and the stillness determination unit 38.

  The inter-frame correlation value may be generated based on a plurality of frame data selected based on other regularity from a plurality of frame data stored in the buffer memory 32. For example, the inter-frame correlation value may be obtained based on the latest frame data and the frame data N frames before. Here, N is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more. Further, a temporary inter-frame correlation value is obtained for each set of two temporally adjacent sets of frame data among a plurality of frame data, and obtained by weighted averaging (moving averaging) for these temporary inter-frame correlation values. The obtained value may be obtained as the inter-frame correlation value.

  When the inter-frame correlation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined stillness threshold value, the stillness determination unit 38 determines whether or not the probe 14 is still, and provides the device control unit 28 with stillness information indicating that fact. Output.

  The width detector 40 obtains the reception aperture width of the probe 14 based on the frame data output from the phasing adder 22. The reception aperture width is defined as the width at which ultrasonic waves are received at the contact surface of the probe 14. The width of the reception opening increases as the width of the probe 14 in contact with the subject 18 increases, and decreases as the width of the probe 14 in contact with the subject 18 decreases.

  The width detection unit 40 obtains a reception intensity for each of a plurality of reception line data constituting the frame data. The reception intensity is defined as, for example, a value obtained by adding and summing the absolute value or square value of each data value on the reception beam line. In the vicinity of the probe 14, since it is difficult to obtain a reliable data value due to multiple reflection of ultrasonic waves, a data value within a predetermined distance from the probe 14 may be excluded from the calculation of the reception intensity.

  The width detection unit 40 obtains, as a reception aperture width, a width occupied by a reception beam line having a reception intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined reception threshold among a plurality of reception beam lines. The width detection unit 40 obtains the reception aperture width for each frame data sequentially output from the phasing addition unit 22 over time, and sequentially outputs the reception aperture width to the device control unit 28.

  When the ultrasonic beam is sector-scanned, the width detection unit 40 extends the plurality of reception line data corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic beam directions to the plurality of reception beam lines extending in the y-axis direction and arranged in the x-axis direction. The reception aperture width is obtained after conversion into a plurality of corresponding reception line data.

  The contact determination unit 42 determines whether or not the probe 14 is in contact with the subject 18. This determination is made based on the correlation value between the frame data and the reference frame data. The reference frame data corresponds to frame data when the probe 14 is away from the subject 18 and is stored in the contact determination unit 42 in advance. When the reference frame data is conceptually represented as a black and white image, as shown in FIG. 2, gray stripes representing multiple echoes appear in the vicinity of the probe 14. The contact determination unit 42 obtains a correlation value between the frame data and the reference frame data. The contact determination unit 42 performs non-contact determination that the probe 14 is away from the subject 18 when the correlation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined non-contact threshold, and provides non-contact information indicating that fact to the device. The data is output to the control unit 28.

  The reference frame data may be stored in the contact determination unit 42 for each of a plurality of different measurement conditions. The measurement conditions include, for example, a gain at the receiving unit, an ultrasonic frequency, a focus depth (focus position), and the like. In this case, the contact determination unit 42 selects reference frame data corresponding to the measurement condition of the determination target frame data from among the plurality of stored reference frame data, and uses it for determination. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may execute calibration that generates reference frame data by generating frame data in a state where the probe 14 is separated from the subject 18 and stores the reference frame data in the contact determination unit 42. .

  The apparatus control unit 28 performs overall control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus such as setting of the operation state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and processing related to an image displayed on the display unit 52. The apparatus control unit 28 includes a state setting unit 44, a detachment detection unit 46, a display processing unit 48, and a command generation unit 50. These components execute each function of the device control unit 28, and are virtually configured by a program executed by the device control unit 28, for example.

  The state setting unit 44 sets the operation state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the information acquired by the apparatus control unit 28. For example, switching from normal state to temporary freeze on state, switching from temporary freeze on state to soft freeze on state, switching from normal state to soft freeze on state, switching from temporary freeze on state to normal state, soft freeze Switch from on to normal. The detachment detection unit 46 determines whether or not the probe 14 is moving away from the subject 18 based on the information acquired by the apparatus control unit 28. The display processing unit 48 executes processing related to image display based on the information acquired by the device control unit 28 according to the operation state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The command generation unit 50 generates command information based on information acquired by the device control unit 28 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the soft freeze on state. The apparatus control unit 28 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the command information.

(2-2) Outline of State Switching Process An outline of the state switching process will be described. First, it is assumed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a normal state and the probe 14 is in contact with the subject 18. When the stillness determination unit 38 determines the stillness, the device control unit 28 sets a gesture reception period and a data selection period with reference to the stillness determination time. The gesture acceptance period is a period from the time of determination of stillness to a predetermined time later, and is a period in which the movement of the probe 14, that is, a gesture is accepted as a command by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The stationary determination is included in the gesture acceptance period. The data selection period is a period from the time of determination of staticity to a predetermined time, and the freeze image displayed on the display unit 52 in the temporary freeze-on state and the soft freeze-on state is a plurality of frames of faults generated during this period. Selected from image data. When the probe 14 is kept stationary and the stillness determination is repeatedly performed, the gesture reception period and the data selection period are updated each time the stationary determination is performed. That is, every time a still determination is made, the gesture acceptance period and the data selection period move in the future direction. The data selection period may be set every time frame data is output from the phasing addition unit 22 without being limited to the stationary determination.

  The apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the soft freeze-on state when the non-contact determination is made by the contact determination unit 42 within the gesture reception period. In the soft freeze on state, a freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52. Components that transmit and receive ultrasound are operating, and a command is given to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the movement of the probe 14 as will be described later. The freeze image is, for example, an image based on tomographic image data when the inter-frame correlation value becomes maximum during the data selection period. When the probe 14 is separated from the subject 18 outside the gesture reception period, the apparatus control unit 28 does not set the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the soft freeze-on state and maintains the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the normal state. .

  According to such a process, when the probe 14 is stationary, a gesture reception period is set from the stationary determination time to the future, and the probe 14 moves away from the subject 18 within the gesture reception period. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the soft freeze on state. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the normal state to the soft freeze-on state based on two movements of the probe 14 being stationary and the probe 14 being detached from the subject 18. This reduces the possibility that the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will switch from the normal state to the soft freeze-on state against the user's intention.

  In the separation process in which the probe 14 is moving away from the subject 18, the following processing is executed. That is, when the apparatus control unit 28 recognizes that the probe 14 is in the process of being detached before the probe 14 moves away from the subject 18 within the gesture reception period, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the temporary freeze-on state. Set. In the temporary freeze-on state, the freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52 as in the soft freeze-on state. Components that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are operating, and information is given from the motion detector 30 to the device controller 28 according to the movement of the probe 14. The temporary freeze-on state is different from the soft freeze-on state in that it returns to the normal state when a predetermined release condition is satisfied. This release condition is a condition that the gesture reception period has passed without the probe 14 leaving the subject 18 or that the probe 14 has come into close contact with the subject 18 again.

  In order to execute the process in the withdrawal process, the apparatus control unit 28 determines whether or not the probe 14 is in the withdrawal process within the gesture reception period. This determination is made based on whether or not the reception aperture width output from the width detector 40 is less than a predetermined value. When the apparatus control unit 28 determines that the reception aperture width is less than the predetermined value (in the separation process), the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the temporary freeze-on state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reception aperture width is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (not in the separation process), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the normal state.

  If the display similar to the normal state is performed when the probe 14 is in the process of being detached, the displayed image is difficult to see because the probe 14 is partially in contact with the subject 18. Become. In the present embodiment, the freeze image is displayed by turning on the temporary freeze when the probe 14 is in the withdrawal process. This makes it easier to see the display in the process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shifting from the normal state to the soft freeze on state.

(2-3) Specific Example of State Switching Process Next, a specific example of the state switching process will be described. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a state switching process executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on information output from the inter-frame correlation calculation unit 36, the stillness determination unit 38, the width detection unit 40, and the contact determination unit 42. ing.

  First, it is assumed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a normal state and the probe 14 is in contact with the subject 18. Further, it is assumed that the device control unit 28 stores the inter-frame correlation value and the reception aperture width in the storage unit 56 in association with the time for a predetermined number of frames going back in the past.

  The phasing addition unit 22 generates frame data of one frame in response to transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves to / from the observation surface (S101), and outputs the frame data to the motion detection unit 30 and the ultrasonic image generation unit 24. The apparatus control unit 28 determines whether or not the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the soft freeze on state (S102). When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the soft freeze on state, the apparatus control unit 28 displays a freeze image on the display unit 52 (S113). On the other hand, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not in the soft freeze-on state, the apparatus control unit 28 determines whether or not the stationary determination unit 38 has performed the stationary determination (S103). If the stillness determination is made, the device control unit 28 updates the data selection period and the gesture reception period (S104), and proceeds to step S106. If the stillness determination is not made, the apparatus control unit 28 proceeds to step S105 without updating each period.

  In step S105, the apparatus control unit 28 determines whether the current time is within the gesture reception period (S105). When the current time is not within the gesture reception period, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a normal state (S112), and displays an image based on the tomographic image data sequentially generated over time as a moving image on the display unit 52. (S113).

  If the current time is within the gesture reception period, the device control unit 28 refers to the storage unit 56 and the cine memory 54 to select a freeze image (S106). The freeze image is, for example, an image based on tomographic image data when the inter-frame correlation value becomes maximum during the data selection period. The freeze image may be an image based on any of a plurality of frames of tomographic image data whose inter-frame correlation value exceeds a predetermined value during the data selection period. The tomographic image data indicating the freeze image is read from the cine memory 54 based on the past inter-frame correlation value stored in the storage unit 56.

  The device control unit 28 refers to the past reception opening width stored in the storage unit 56 and sets the reference opening width W0 (S107). The reference aperture width W0 is, for example, the reception aperture width when the inter-frame correlation value becomes maximum during the data selection period. Alternatively, it may be the reception aperture width before a predetermined number of frames.

  The device control unit 28 determines whether or not the reception opening width W output from the width detection unit 40 is less than the contact ratio r times the reference opening width W0 (S108). Here, the contact ratio r is a positive value less than 1, and defines a reference for determining that the probe 14 is in partial contact with the subject 18 and the probe 14 is in the detachment process. The contact ratio r is also a value that determines the ease of transition to the soft freeze-on state, and may be adjusted by a user operation. The contact ratio r is, for example, a value of 0.5 or more and less than 0.8. If the reception aperture width W is less than r times the contact ratio r of the reference aperture width W0 (W <r · W0), the probe 14 is likely to be in the process of being detached, and the reception aperture width W is the reference aperture width W When the contact ratio r is equal to or larger than the contact ratio r times the opening width W0 (W ≧ r · W0), the probe 14 is not likely to be in the separation process.

  When the reception aperture width W is equal to or larger than the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the normal state (S112), and the tomographic image data sequentially generated over time. An image based on the above is displayed on the display unit 52 as a moving image (S113).

  If the reception opening width W is less than the contact ratio r times the reference opening width W0, the apparatus control unit 28 determines whether the probe 14 has moved away from the subject 18 (S109). This determination is performed based on whether or not non-contact information is output from the contact determination unit 42. If the apparatus control unit 28 determines that the probe 14 is not separated from the subject 18, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a temporary freeze-on state (S 111), and causes the display unit 52 to display a freeze image. (S113). On the other hand, if it is determined that the probe 14 is away from the subject 18, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the soft freeze on state (S 110), and displays the freeze image on the display unit 52. It is displayed (S113). The device control unit 28 displays an image corresponding to each operation state on the display unit 52 (S113), and then returns to step S101.

  According to the process shown in FIG. 3, a gesture reception period is set at each stillness determination. When the probe 14 leaves the subject 18 through the withdrawal process within the gesture reception period, the following processing is executed. That is, when the probe 14 is moving away from the subject 18 so that the reception aperture width W is less than the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0, steps S101 to S103, S105 to S109, S111 and S113 are performed in this order. Each step is executed, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set from the normal state to the temporary freeze-on state. While the probe 14 is moving away from the subject 18 within the gesture reception period, steps S101 to S103, S105 to S109, S111, and S113 are repeated.

  Note that step S104 is executed according to the determination in step S103. That is, every time a stillness determination is made (S103), the data selection period and the gesture acceptance period are updated with reference to the time of the stillness determination (S104). When the stationary state of the probe 14 continues and the stillness determination is performed a plurality of times at the time interval T, the data selection period and the gesture reception period are in the future direction by the time T every time the stationary determination is made. Move to.

  When the probe 14 moves away from the subject 18 within the gesture reception period, step S110 is executed instead of step S111, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the soft freeze-on state. In the soft freeze on state, each step is repeated in the order of steps S101, S102, and S113.

  Therefore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is moved from the normal state to the temporary freeze-on state by stopping the probe 14 in a state where it is in contact with the subject 18 and separating the probe 14 from the subject 18 at an appropriate speed. After that, the soft freeze on state is set.

  When the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is in a normal state and the probe 14 moves away from the subject 18 within one frame interval time T together with the stationary determination, the determination of “No” is not made in step S109. There is. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is directly set to the soft freeze-on state from the normal state without passing through the temporary freeze-on state.

  When the probe 14 is kept in contact with the subject 18 and the reception aperture width W is equal to or larger than the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is usually used regardless of the gesture reception period. State. That is, within the gesture reception period, each step is executed in the order of steps S101 to S108, S112, and S113, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is brought into a normal state. Outside the gesture acceptance period, each step is executed in the order of steps S101 to S105, S112, and S113, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set in a normal state.

  There is a half-contact state in which the probe 14 is moving away from the subject 18 but the probe 14 is not separated from the subject 18 so that the reception opening width W is less than the contact ratio r times the reference opening width W0. When continuing, steps S101-S109, S111, and S113 are repeated until it becomes outside a gesture reception period, and an ultrasonic diagnosing device is maintained in a temporary freeze-on state. When the probe 14 is stationary in this half-contact state, the stationary determination is repeatedly performed (S103), and each time the stationary determination is performed, the end of the gesture reception period is postponed (S104). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is maintained in the temporary freeze-on state. On the other hand, when the probe 14 moves and the gesture reception period is not updated, the gesture reception period elapses and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the normal state through step S105 (S112). This process is executed, for example, when the probe 14 vibrates in a half-contact state with respect to the subject 18 after the stationary determination is made.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the temporary freeze-on state returns to the normal state when the release condition that the gesture acceptance period elapses without the probe 14 moving away from the subject 18 is satisfied. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the temporary freeze-on state returns to the normal state when the release condition that the reception opening width W is equal to or larger than the contact ratio r times the reference opening width W0 is satisfied. However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the soft freeze-on state, the freeze-on state is maintained regardless of such release conditions.

  4A to 4C show examples of the correlation value (contact correlation value A), inter-frame correlation value B, and reception aperture width W between the frame data and the reference frame data, respectively. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the contact correlation value A, the inter-frame correlation value B, and the reception aperture width W, respectively. The contact correlation value A is a correlation value between the frame data and the reference frame data, and is generated by the contact determination unit.

  In this example, the probe moves while being in contact with the subject from time t (−18) to time t (−8). From time t (−8) to time t (−4), the probe is stationary while in contact with the subject, and from time t (−4), the probe is separated while contacting the subject. First, the probe leaves the subject at time t (0).

  The inter-frame correlation value B is less than the stillness threshold S before the time t (−9), but is greater than or equal to the stillness threshold S from the time t (−8) to the time t (−4). And after time (-3), it becomes less than the static threshold S again. Therefore, the stillness determination is made at the time interval T between the time t (−8) and the time t (−4). In each of time t (−8) to time t (−4), which is the time of stillness determination, a data selection period D and a gesture reception period G are set. The data selection period D is a period from the time of each stillness determination until it goes back by 10T, and the gesture reception period G is a period from the time of each stillness determination until 5T later. After the stationary determination is first performed at time t (−8), the stationary determination is performed at each of time t (−7) to time t (−4). Therefore, after the data selection period D and the gesture reception period G are set at the time t (−8), the data is obtained every time the stationary determination is made at the time t (−7) to the time t (−4). The selection period D and the gesture reception period G move after time T.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by circles K and L, the reception aperture value W <r · W0 is established at time t (−2) and time t (−1). . Time t (−2) and time t (−1) are within the gesture reception period G set at the latest stationary determination time t (−4). Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the temporary freeze-on state.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the reference opening width W0 at time t (−2) and time t (−1) is the data selection period D set at the stationary determination time t (−4). This is the reception aperture width at time t (−5) when the inter-frame correlation value B is maximum. The freeze image displayed in the temporary freeze-on state is a tomographic image at time t (−5) at which the inter-frame correlation value B is maximum in the data selection period D set at the still determination time t (−4). It is an image based on data. Note that the freeze image is the tomographic image data at time t (−5) at which the inter-frame correlation value B becomes maximum in the data selection period D set at time t (0) when the probe is separated from the subject. It may be an image based on it.

  In FIG. 4, a circle M indicates that the most recent stillness determination time in the separation process is time t (−4). Further, a circle P indicates that the inter-frame correlation value B is maximized at time t (−5) in the data selection period D that is 10T backward from time t (−4). A circle Q indicates that the reception aperture width at time t (−5) is the reference aperture width W0 at time t (−2) and time t (−1).

  At time t (0), the probe is separated from the subject, and the contact correlation value A is not less than the non-contact threshold value U. Since the time t (0) is within the gesture reception period G set at the latest stationary determination time t (-4), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set in the soft freeze on state.

  FIG. 5A shows tomographic image data generated by the ultrasonic image generation unit 24 in FIG. 1 when the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus changes in the order of the normal state, the temporary freeze-on state, and the soft freeze-on state. An image represented by is conceptually shown. Each image shown in FIG. 5A indicates an image to be displayed if it is displayed on the display unit 52, and is not actually displayed on the display unit 52. Absent. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a normal state from time t (−6) to time t (−3), and in a temporary freeze-on state from time t (−2) to time t (−1), After time t (0), the soft freeze is on.

  From time t (−6) to time t (−3), the probe is in close contact with the subject in a state where W ≧ r · W0. Therefore, the ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject are received over a wide range of the probe. Each tomographic image from time t (−6) to time t (−3) is an image based on ultrasonic waves received with the probe in close contact with the subject. During the time t (−2) to the time t (−1), the probe is in the separation process, and only a part of the contact surface of the probe is in contact with the subject. When the subject has a convex shape, in the process in which the probe is separated from the subject, the subject is separated first from the outside of the contact surface due to the elasticity of the subject. Therefore, the region where the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject is not received increases from the outside to the inside of the contact surface. In FIG. 5A, a region on the tomographic image corresponding to a region where no ultrasonic wave is received is indicated by hatching. At time t (0), the probe is away from the subject, and a multiple reflection pattern appears in the image.

  FIG. 5B shows an image displayed on the display unit 52 when the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus changes in the order of the normal state, the temporary freeze-on state, and the soft freeze-on state. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a normal state from time t (-6) to time t (-3). Therefore, an image based on the tomographic image data is displayed on the display unit 52. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a temporary freeze-on state from time t (-2) to time t (-1). Therefore, a freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52. After time t (0), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the soft freeze on state. Therefore, a freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52.

  If the image based on the tomographic image data is displayed on the display unit 52 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the temporary freeze-on state, a region corresponding to a portion where the probe is not in contact is included in the image. End up. This region may spread from the left and right sides of the image as the probe leaves, making it difficult to see the image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, a freeze image is displayed instead of a tomographic image in a temporary freeze-on state. Therefore, it is avoided that an image that is difficult to see is displayed while the probe is away from the contacted state. Also, the user can refer to the freeze image more quickly than when the freeze image is displayed when the soft freeze-on state is entered. Accordingly, the user can smoothly execute the following operation, and the mental or physical stress given to the user is reduced.

(3) Soft Freeze Soft freeze will be described with reference to FIG. In the soft freeze-on state, the freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52 as a still image, while ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by the probe 14 and an instruction is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a signal based on the received ultrasonic waves. Is given. Thereby, a command according to the movement of the probe 14 is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the soft freeze on state, the tomographic image data stored in the cine memory 54 is held without being updated. Alternatively, the tomographic image data stored in the cine memory 54 when the soft freeze-on state is started is transferred to the second cine memory provided separately, and stored in the cine memory 54 by sequentially generated tomographic image data. The content may be updated. In this case, the second cine memory may be configured in the storage unit 56.

  In the soft freeze-on state, for example, image data representing a freeze image is stored in the storage unit 56 in accordance with the operation of the probe 14 by the user (the movement of the probe 14). Further, the image quality of the freeze image may be adjusted and printing on a print medium may be performed. Furthermore, an image based on any one of a plurality of frames of tomographic image data stored in the cine memory 54 in a normal state may be displayed. In addition, a body mark representing the standard tissue shape of the subject may be displayed over the freeze image.

  An operation in which a command corresponding to the movement of the probe 14 is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described. The motion frame generator 34 generates motion frame data based on the frame data stored in the buffer memory 32. The motion frame data is data in which the displacement of each position is associated with each position on the observation plane by a two-dimensional vector, and represents the distribution of the displacement vector on the observation plane. The motion frame generation unit 34 obtains a displacement vector of the living tissue for each position on the observation surface based on, for example, the latest frame data and the frame data one frame before. There is pattern matching as an operation for obtaining the displacement vector. In pattern matching, the degree of approximation is obtained for the image in which each point is virtually moved for the image one frame before and the latest image, and the movement distance and direction of each point at which the degree of approximation is increased are each point. As a displacement vector. Various degrees of approximation are considered among those skilled in the art, such as correlation values. The displacement vector obtained in this way represents the distance and direction of movement of each point on the living tissue per frame interval time.

  Further, block matching may be used as a calculation for obtaining the displacement of the living tissue. In block matching, each of the latest image and the image one frame before is divided into a plurality of blocks. Focusing on the block in the region of interest, a block one frame before having a high degree of approximation with the target block is searched. The moving distance and moving direction from each point in the searched block to each point in the latest block are obtained as a displacement vector of each point in the block. The motion frame generation unit 34 generates one motion frame each time frame data is newly stored in the buffer memory 32, and outputs the motion frame to the device control unit 28.

  Here, the process of generating one frame of motion frame data based on the latest frame data and the previous frame data has been described. The motion frame data may be generated based on frame data selected according to other regularity from a plurality of frame data stored in the buffer memory 32. For example, one frame of motion frame data may be generated based on the latest frame data and frame data N frames before. Here, N is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more. Also, provisional motion frame data is obtained for each set of two temporally adjacent frame data in a plurality of frame data, and data obtained by weighted averaging (moving averaging) for these temporary motion frame data is obtained. It may be obtained as motion frame data.

  The command generation unit 50 included in the apparatus control unit 28 generates command information for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the motion frame data sequentially output from the motion frame generation unit 34, for example, based on the following processing. . That is, the command generation unit 50 extracts the x-axis direction component of the displacement vector at each position on the observation plane from the motion frame data, and obtains the average value of the x-axis direction component as the x-direction displacement. Further, the y-axis direction component of the displacement vector at each position on the observation surface is extracted, and the average value of the y-axis direction component is obtained as the y-direction displacement. The x-direction displacement may be obtained based on other statistical values such as the maximum value, median value, root mean square value, and sum total value of the x-axis direction components. Similarly, the y-direction displacement may be obtained based on other statistical values such as the maximum value, median value, root mean square value, and summation value of y-axis direction components. The command generation unit 50 obtains each time waveform of the x-direction displacement and the y-direction displacement for each of the motion frame data sequentially output from the motion frame generation unit 34 as time elapses.

  The storage unit 56 stores a plurality of types of time waveform patterns (x direction patterns) predetermined for the time waveform of the x direction displacement, and command information is stored in association with each x direction pattern. Yes. The command generation unit 50 refers to the storage unit 56 to obtain an approximation between the time waveform of the x-direction displacement and a certain x-direction pattern, and when this approximation satisfies a predetermined condition, the x-direction pattern Command information associated with is generated. Here, the degree of approximation is defined as, for example, a correlation value between the time waveform of the x-direction displacement and the x-direction pattern. As a case where the degree of approximation satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, the correlation value may be a predetermined threshold value or more.

  Similarly, the storage unit 56 stores a plurality of types of time waveform patterns (y direction patterns) predetermined for the time waveform of the y direction displacement, and command information is associated with each y direction pattern. It is remembered. When the degree of approximation between the time waveform of the y-direction displacement and a certain y-direction pattern is large, command information associated with the y-direction pattern is generated.

  The storage unit 56 may store information in which command information is associated with a combination of an x-direction pattern and a y-direction pattern as information that the command generation unit 50 refers to. In this case, when the degree of approximation between the time waveform of the x direction displacement and the time waveform of the y direction displacement and the x direction pattern and the y direction pattern forming a predetermined combination is large, the x direction pattern and the y direction pattern Command information associated with the combination is generated.

  The command generation unit 50 may obtain an energy evaluation value obtained by adding and summing the square of the absolute value of the displacement vector at each position on the observation surface based on the motion frame data, and may generate the command information based on the energy evaluation value. . The energy evaluation value represents the kinetic energy of the probe 14. In this case, the storage unit 56 stores information in which a plurality of numerical value ranges for the energy evaluation values are associated with command information corresponding to each numerical value range. The command generation unit 50 refers to the information stored in the storage unit 56 and generates command information corresponding to the numerical range to which the obtained energy evaluation value belongs.

  The apparatus control unit 28 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that an operation based on the command information generated by the command generation unit 50 is performed. The command information includes information for commanding an operation of a cursor, a button, or the like displayed on the display unit 52. For example, as shown by the arrow 58 in FIG. 6A, the movement of the cursor in the vertical direction, the selection of the button, the button in response to the movement of vibrating the probe 14 a predetermined number of times in the y-axis direction. Command information such as pressing of a button, release of a button, and the like are associated. In this case, the y-direction pattern is associated with each of the movement of the cursor in the vertical direction, button selection, button press, button release, drag target graphic selection, and the like. When the degree of approximation between the time waveform of the y-direction displacement obtained based on the motion frame data and any y-direction pattern satisfies a predetermined condition, command information associated with the y-direction pattern is generated. .

  Further, as indicated by an arrow 60 in FIG. 6B, the movement of the cursor 14 in the x-axis direction, the movement of the cursor in the left-right direction, the dragging of the selected figure, etc. Command information is associated. When the degree of approximation between the time waveform of the x-direction displacement obtained based on the motion frame data and any x-direction pattern satisfies a predetermined condition, command information associated with the x-direction pattern is generated. .

  Further, as shown by the arrow 62 in FIG. 6C, other command information such as rotation of the dial displayed on the display unit 52 with respect to the movement of moving the probe 14 in the xy plane. Are associated. When the degree of approximation satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to any of the time waveform of the x-direction displacement and the time waveform of the y-direction displacement obtained based on the motion frame data and the combination of the x-direction pattern and the y-direction pattern, Command information associated with the combination of the x-direction pattern and the y-direction pattern is generated.

  The apparatus control unit 28 may associate the command in the soft freeze-on state with the movement of the probe that normally appears in the diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As such a conventional gesture, for example, there is one that reciprocates left and right while bringing the probe into contact with the subject in order to extend a jelly that reduces friction between the subject and the probe. For this reciprocating motion, specify a folder that is one step lower than the currently specified folder when specifying a command to cancel the soft freeze on state and set it to the normal state, or when specifying a hierarchical memory area (folder) For example, a command to end an application operating in the soft freeze on state, and the like may be associated. In general, the reciprocating motion often appears in the user's actions together with the user's psychology of canceling some operation, and the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is improved by associating the reciprocating motion with a command to cancel some state. .

  The apparatus control unit 28 may associate a command in the soft freeze on state with a simple movement of the probe in addition to the conventional gesture. Simple movements, that is, simple gestures, include minute movements when the probe housing is struck one or more times by a user's finger, movements that cause the probe to vibrate up and down in small increments, and the like.

  Conventional gestures and simple gestures may occur accidentally when a user diagnoses a subject when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to a normal state. Therefore, in order to avoid misrecognition, the conventional gesture and the simple gesture may be treated as movements accepted as commands in the soft freeze on state.

  Returning to FIG. 1, when the non-contact information is output from the contact determination unit 42, the command generation unit 50 may generate predetermined command information such as button press and release. Thus, a predetermined command is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the movement of the probe 14 away from the subject 18.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 52 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set in the soft freeze on state. On the display unit 52, five buttons 70 and a cine memory bar 68 are displayed together with the freeze image 64. On the five buttons 70, “still image storage”, “moving image storage”, “body mark”, “gain”, and “freeze OFF” are displayed, respectively. Following the command information for moving the cursor 72 to the position of any button 70, the user moves the probe so that command information for pressing the button 70 is generated by the device control unit 28. The function assigned to 70 is executed. For example, when the user moves the probe so that the “Save Still Image” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 displays the image data representing the freeze image 64 as the date, time, image file name, etc. Information for managing images is added and stored in the storage unit 56. When the user moves the probe so that the “Save Movie” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 stores the tomographic image data of a plurality of frames stored in the cine memory 54 in the storage unit 56 as moving image data. Let At this time, information for managing moving images is added to the moving image data. The process of storing past moving image data in this way is generally referred to as retrospective. Further, the following processing for storing future moving image data may be executed. That is, when the user moves the probe so that the “Save Movie” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the soft freeze on state to the normal state. Then, the tomographic image data sequentially generated with the passage of time is stored in the storage unit 56 over a predetermined plurality of frames. Processing for storing future moving image data in this way is generally referred to as prospective. When the user moves the probe so that the “body mark” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 causes the display unit 52 to display the body mark. The body mark represents the standard tissue shape of the subject with respect to the breast, arm, and the like. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may display a figure indicating the position of the probe together with the body mark in accordance with a user operation. When the user moves the probe so that the “gain” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a state in which the gain (brightness of the image) can be adjusted. When the user moves the probe so that the “Freeze OFF” button is pressed, the apparatus control unit 28 switches the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the soft freeze on state to the normal state.

  The cine memory bar 68 extending linearly to the left and right is an area for selecting any one of a plurality of frames of tomographic image data stored in the cine memory 54 and displaying the selected tomographic image as a still image. The apparatus control unit 28 operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as follows when the user moves the probe so that the operation using the cine memory bar 68 and the cursor 72 is performed. That is, when the cursor 72 is positioned on the cine memory bar 68, the cine memory bar 68 is selected. In this state, when the cursor 72 is positioned at the right end on the cine memory bar 68, a freeze image 64 is displayed. When the cursor 72 is moved to the left along the cine memory bar 68, images based on the tomographic image data are sequentially displayed one frame at a time retroactively. When the cursor 72 is moved to the right along the cine memory bar 68, images based on the tomographic image data are sequentially displayed one frame at a time from the past to the future (when a freeze image is obtained). . When the movement of the cursor is stationary, an image based on tomographic image data corresponding to the position where the cursor is stationary is displayed. The display “245/250” in FIG. 7 indicates that 250 frames of tomographic image data are stored in the cine memory 54 and the 245th tomographic image from the oldest is displayed.

(4) Modified Example A modified example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, even if the probe 14 is not in the withdrawal process, the reception aperture width W is less than the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0 in step S108 depending on the shape of the subject 18. May be determined. For example, such a determination may be made when the width of the observation region is narrower than the contact surface of the probe 14 and the width of the observation region becomes narrower in the direction perpendicular to the observation surface. That is, when the probe 14 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the observation surface while the probe 14 is in close contact with the subject, the contact area with the subject decreases with the movement of the probe 14, and the receiving aperture width. W may be less than r times the contact ratio of the reference opening width W0. Therefore, the device control unit 28 may execute step S201 shown in the flowchart of FIG. The same steps as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  After selecting the freeze image in step S106, the apparatus control unit 28 determines that the separation determination inter-frame correlation value C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Cth, and the reception aperture width W is a contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0. It is judged whether it is less than (S201). Here, the interleaving determination inter-frame correlation value C is, for example, the same value as the above-described inter-frame correlation value B. Further, the interleaving determination inter-frame correlation value C may be an inter-frame correlation value obtained based on the frame data at the time when the reference opening width W0 is obtained and the latest frame data. Alternatively, it may be an inter-frame correlation value obtained based on the frame data at the time of the latest stillness determination and the latest frame data.

  The apparatus control unit 28 proceeds to step S109 when the interleave correlation frame C for separation determination is equal to or greater than the threshold Cth and the reception aperture width W is less than the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0. . On the other hand, when the inter-leaving determination inter-frame correlation value C is less than the threshold value Cth, or when the reception aperture width W is greater than or equal to the contact ratio r times the reference aperture width W0, the apparatus control unit 28 The diagnostic apparatus is set in a normal state (S112), and an image based on the tomographic image data sequentially generated with time is displayed on the display unit 52 as a moving image (S113).

  According to such processing, there is a low possibility that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be in the temporary freeze-on state or the soft freeze-on state even though the probe 14 is not in the separation process.

  Moreover, it replaces with the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be performed. In this process, based on the displacement of the biological tissue of the subject 18 in the depth direction (y-axis direction) of the subject 18, it is determined whether or not the probe 14 is in a detached state. The motion frame generator 34 operating in the soft freeze on state also operates in the state switching process.

  The device control unit 28 selects the freeze image (S106) and obtains the y-direction displacement Dy for determination of separation (S301). The y direction displacement Dy for leaving determination is obtained from the motion frame data obtained by the motion frame generation unit 34 based on the latest frame data and the frame data of N frames before. The process for obtaining the y-direction displacement is the same as the above-described process in which the command generation unit 50 obtains the y-direction displacement. The frame data N frames before is, for example, frame data obtained at the time of the latest stillness determination. The device control unit 28 determines whether or not the detachment determination y-direction displacement Dy is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value Dth (S302).

  The apparatus control unit 28 proceeds to step S109 when the separation direction y-direction displacement Dy is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth. On the other hand, if the y-direction displacement Dy for determination of separation is less than the threshold value Dth, the apparatus control unit 28 sets the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a normal state (S112), and the tomographic image data sequentially generated as time passes. The base image is displayed on the display unit 52 as a moving image (S113).

  According to such a process, the same effect as the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 can be obtained. That is, when the probe 14 is in the withdrawal process within the gesture reception period, a freeze image is displayed on the display unit 52, and it is avoided that the display image is difficult to see. Note that a process corresponding to step S201 in FIG. 8 may be executed between step S302 and step S109.

  The embodiment has been described above in which the motion detection unit 30 generates information related to the motion of the probe 14 based on the frame data output from the phasing addition unit 22 and outputs the information to the device control unit 28. The motion detection unit 30 may execute processing based on other received signals generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the received ultrasonic waves. For example, instead of the frame data output from the phasing adder 22, tomographic image data output from the ultrasound image generator 24 or video signal output from the DSC 26 may be used in the motion detector 30. Good. Further, the width detection unit 40 may obtain the reception aperture width based on the level of each reception baseband signal output from the reception unit 20 corresponding to each of the plurality of vibration elements 16 included in the probe 14. Good.

  In the above description, the embodiment has been described in which the stationary determination unit 38 determines whether the probe 14 is stationary based on the inter-frame correlation value. The stillness determination unit 38 may make this determination based on the motion frame output from the motion frame generation unit 34. In this case, the stillness determination unit 38 acquires a displacement vector at each point on the observation surface from each motion frame. The stillness determination unit 38 obtains a motion evaluation value obtained by adding and summing the absolute value of the displacement vector of each point on the observation surface or its square. The stillness determination unit 38 obtains a motion evaluation value for each of the motion frames that are sequentially output from the motion frame generation unit 34 over time, and when the motion evaluation value becomes less than a predetermined threshold, the probe 14 is stationary. Make a stillness judgment to the effect. When the stillness determination unit 38 makes a stillness determination, a condition for affirming the stillness determination may be that the time when the motion evaluation value is less than a predetermined threshold value is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time.

  The motion evaluation value may be another statistical value reflecting the displacement vector of each point on the observation surface. For example, the motion evaluation value may be obtained only for a component in a specific direction of the displacement vector. Further, the motion evaluation value may be obtained based on the sum of the absolute value of the x-axis direction component of the displacement vector or its square. Furthermore, the motion evaluation value may be obtained for a region of interest that is predetermined on the observation surface.

  In the above description, the example in which the contact determination unit 42 determines whether or not the probe 14 is in contact with the subject 18 based on the correlation value between the frame data and the reference frame data has been described. Such a determination may be made by the device control unit 28 based on the reception aperture width. In this case, the contact determination unit 42 is non-contact information indicating that the probe 14 is away from the subject 18 when the reception opening width output from the width detection unit 40 is less than a predetermined non-contact threshold. Is output to the apparatus control unit 28.

  In the above description, an example in which the ultrasound image generation unit 24 generates tomographic image data on the observation surface of the subject 18 has been described. The ultrasonic image generation unit 24 may generate elasticity image data representing the elasticity distribution of the observation surface of the subject 18. In this case, the ultrasonic image generation unit 24 may generate tomographic / elastic image data representing an image obtained by superimposing the elastic image on the tomographic image, and the tomographic / elastic image may be displayed on the display unit 52.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Transmission / reception control part, 12 Transmission part, 14 Probe, 16 Vibrating element, 18 Subject, 20 Reception part, 22 Phased addition part, 24 Ultrasonic image generation part, 26 Digital scan converter (DSC), 28 Apparatus control Unit, 30 motion detection unit, 32 buffer memory, 34 motion frame generation unit, 36 inter-frame correlation calculation unit, 38 stillness determination unit, 40 width detection unit, 42 contact determination unit, 44 state setting unit, 46 departure detection unit, 48 Display processing unit, 50 command generation unit, 52 display unit, 54 cine memory, 56 storage unit.

Claims (14)

In ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
A reception unit that generates a reception signal based on the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject and received by the probe;
A width detection unit that detects a reception aperture width representing a width at which the probe receives ultrasonic waves based on the received signal;
A state setting unit that switches a state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a change in the reception aperture width;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
A contact determination unit for determining whether the probe is in contact with the subject based on the received signal;
The state setting unit
Based on the decrease in the reception aperture width, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state,
When it is determined that the probe is not in contact with the subject when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the first state or the second state, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is changed. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being set to a third state. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
A stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal;
An image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe;
The state setting unit
Based on the decrease in the receiving aperture width after it has been determined that the probe is stationary, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched,
The first state is a state in which each of the ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a moving image.
The second state and the third state are states in which one of the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a still image,
The still images in the second state and the third state are images when it is determined that the probe is stationary among the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time. A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal,
The state setting unit
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched based on a decrease in the reception aperture width after it is determined that the probe is stationary. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Based on the received signal, a plurality of lines arranged on the observation surface of the subject, each line corresponding to a plurality of lines from the probe toward the subject. With a line data generator,
Each line data is data in which received data is associated with each position on the corresponding line,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the width detection unit detects the reception aperture width based on the plurality of line data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5,
The width detection unit detects the reception aperture width based on data excluding data corresponding to a region where multiple reflections of ultrasonic waves occur among the plurality of line data. . In ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
A reception unit that generates a reception signal based on the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject and received by the probe;
A detachment detection unit that detects a detachment process in which the probe is moving away from the subject based on the received signal;
A state setting unit for switching the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when the separation process is detected;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7,
A contact determination unit for determining whether the probe is in contact with the subject based on the received signal;
The state setting unit
When the separation process is detected, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state;
When it is determined that the probe is not in contact with the subject when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in the first state or the second state, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is changed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to the third state. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8,
A stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal;
An image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe;
The state setting unit
When the separation process is detected after it is determined that the probe is stationary, the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched,
The first state is a state in which each of the ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a moving image.
The second state and the third state are states in which one of the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a still image,
The still images in the second state and the third state are images when it is determined that the probe is stationary among the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time. A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
A stationary determination unit that determines that the probe is stationary based on the received signal,
The state setting unit
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is switched when the separation process is detected after it is determined that the probe is stationary. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The separation detection unit
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the separation process is detected based on a change in a received signal when the probe leaves the subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claim 2, claim 3, claim 8, and claim 9,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second state is a state in which the state returns to the first state when a predetermined release condition regarding the received signal is satisfied. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claim 2, claim 3, claim 8, and claim 9,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third state is a state in which a command is given to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a change in the received signal according to the movement of the probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 or 8,
An image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe;
The first state is a state in which each of the ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a moving image.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second state and the third state are states in which one of the plurality of ultrasonic images sequentially generated over time is displayed on the display unit as a still image.

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