JP2017225645A - Ultrasonic image display apparatus and method, and recording medium storing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic image display apparatus capable of quickly puncturing a puncture needle by exchanging positions of a short-axis image and a long-axis image on a screen according to a direction of an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: A blood flow imaging apparatus as an ultrasonic image display apparatus uses an ultrasonic probe to simultaneously displays a short-axis image 8 and a long-axis image 9 on a same screen 10 on the basis of a reflection wave signal obtained by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves. When inputting an exchange signal for instructing to exchange the left/right of the positions of the images, the ultrasonic image display apparatus performs image processing of exchanging the left/right of the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9, displaying the short-axis image without reversing the left/right of the short-axis image 8, and displaying by reversing the left/right of the long-axis image 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention stores an ultrasonic image display apparatus and method for supporting a puncture operation on a subject using a puncture needle, and a program by simultaneously displaying a short-axis image and a long-axis image of the subject on the same screen. The present invention relates to a recording medium.

  In medical practice, puncture of living tissue (subject) such as general injection, nerve block injection, blood sampling, and catheter insertion is widely performed. When performing treatments such as nerve block injection and catheter insertion, biological tissue may be damaged unless the target site is punctured accurately. In such a background, in recent years, an ultrasonic guide technique has been used in which puncture is performed while observing the state of a target region with an ultrasonic image.

  Conventionally, in an apparatus using an ultrasonic guide, one tomographic image is displayed and puncture is performed. With this apparatus, only one of a short-axis image (transverse section) and a long-axis image (longitudinal section) can be confirmed. Therefore, even when a blood vessel is pierced by a puncture needle or a tissue such as a nerve is damaged, there is a problem that it is not noticed.

  In order to solve this problem, two orthogonal cross sections (cross section and longitudinal section) are scanned simultaneously to display ultrasonic images (short axis image and long axis image) of each section, and puncture while observing these images An angiography apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the angiography apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a short-axis image and a long-axis image are simultaneously displayed on the same screen in a screen layout in which left and right images are arranged side by side. By displaying the short axis image and the long axis image side by side in this way, it is possible to accurately grasp the tomographic structure of the blood vessel. In addition, when inserting the puncture needle into the living tissue, the puncture needle is displayed in the long axis image after the puncture needle is displayed in the short axis image. It has the merit that it can be performed.

Japanese Patent No. 5778066

  By the way, when an operator such as a doctor performs a puncturing action using an angiography device, the direction of the ultrasound probe is changed depending on the position of the affected part to be punctured or whether the operator's dominant hand is right-handed or left-handed. There is. However, since the angiography apparatus of Patent Document 2 does not have a function of switching the position (image layout) between the short-axis image and the long-axis image, the short-axis is obtained with an appropriate image layout according to the direction of the ultrasonic probe. Images and long axis images could not be displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to change the position of the short axis image and the long axis image on the screen according to the direction of the ultrasonic probe, and to puncture the puncture needle. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic image display device and an ultrasonic image display method that can be performed quickly. Another object is to provide a recording medium storing a program for operating a computer built in the ultrasonic image display apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is to acquire a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. Using an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves are arranged orthogonally to each other, the short axis image and the long length are based on a reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. An ultrasound image display device that simultaneously displays an axial image on the same screen and supports a puncture operation on the subject using a puncture needle, and generates image data based on the reflected wave signal, The image processing unit includes an image processing unit that displays the short-axis image and the long-axis image created using the image data side by side, and the image processing unit includes a first switch that instructs the left-right switching of the image position. When the signal is input, the short axis image and the front Ultrasound, wherein the position of the long-axis image is switched between left and right, and the image of the short-axis image is displayed without being horizontally reversed while the image of the long-axis image is reversed and displayed horizontally The gist of the present invention is an image display device.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing means creates image data based on the reflected wave signal, and creates a short-axis image and a long-axis image using the image data. Are displayed side by side. Then, when the first switching signal for instructing the left-right switching of the image position is input, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are switched left-right by the image processing means. At this time, the short-axis image is displayed without being horizontally reversed, and the long-axis image is horizontally reversed and displayed. When the ultrasonic image display apparatus is configured in this manner, the ultrasonic probe is directed to the right side and the subject is punctured, and the ultrasonic probe is directed to the left side and the subject is punctured. The position (screen layout) of the axis image and the long axis image can be interchanged. In this case, since the short-axis image showing the cross section of the subject is displayed as it is without being reversed, the operator can confirm the cross-sectional structure of the subject without a sense of incongruity after switching the screen. And the puncture needle can be punctured quickly.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the image processing unit further has a function of displaying the short-axis image and the long-axis image side-by-side, and instructs to change the position of the image up and down. When the second switching signal is input, the positions of the short axis image and the long axis image are switched up and down, and the image of the short axis image is displayed without being inverted upside down, while the image of the long axis image is moved up and down. The gist of the present invention is to perform image processing for displaying the image in an inverted manner.

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the short axis image and the long axis image are displayed side by side on the same screen by the image processing means. Then, when the second switching signal for instructing the vertical switching of the image position is input, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are switched up and down by the image processing means. At this time, the short-axis image is displayed without being upside down, and the long-axis image is displayed upside down. In this case, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image can be switched up and down depending on whether the ultrasonic probe is directed upward or downward. In this case, since the short-axis image showing the cross section of the subject is displayed as it is without being reversed, the operator can confirm the cross-sectional structure of the subject without any uncomfortable feeling after switching the screen. And the puncture needle can be punctured quickly.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers arranged in a straight line in the short axis direction so as to obtain the short axis image. And a second element unit in which a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers are linearly arranged in a major axis direction orthogonal to the minor axis direction in order to acquire the major axis image. Two types for identifying the short axis direction and the long axis direction on the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side and the side surface on the second element unit accommodation side of the probe body. Discriminating unit display means for displaying an image side discriminating unit corresponding to the type of the probe side discriminating unit on the same screen at a position corresponding to the short axis image and the long axis image. The gist of having To.

  Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the probe main body, two types of probe-side identification portions are provided on the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side and the side surface on the second element unit accommodation side, respectively. Then, the identification unit display means displays the image side identification unit corresponding to the type of the probe side identification unit at a position corresponding to the short axis image and the long axis image on the same screen. In this way, the short axis direction of the first element unit that acquires the short axis image and the long axis direction of the second element unit that acquires the long axis image can be easily recognized visually. For this reason, the operator can accurately move the ultrasonic probe while confirming the short-axis image and the long-axis image and the image-side identification part of these images, and can quickly find the puncture site in the subject and puncture needle It becomes possible to perform puncture quickly.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the probe-side identification unit is a line-shaped identification unit having a different line type, and at least in the minor axis direction on the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side. And extending along at least the major axis direction on the side surface on the second element unit accommodation side, and the image side identification portion is a line corresponding to the line type of the probe side identification portion The gist of the present invention is to display the short axis image and the long axis image on the same screen so as to surround the short axis image and the long axis image, respectively.

  Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the short axis direction and the long axis direction of the probe main body can be easily recognized by the line-shaped probe-side identification portion having different line types. In addition, by confirming the short-axis image and the long-axis image corresponding to the short-axis direction and the long-axis direction of the probe body by the image-side identification unit displayed so as to surround the short-axis image and the long-axis image, Can be grasped quickly and reliably.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a direction indication mark that indicates a moving direction of an image corresponding to the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe on the same screen is the short axis. The gist is that a mark display means for displaying the image at a position corresponding to the image is provided.

  Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, the direction indication mark is displayed at the position corresponding to the short-axis image on the same screen by the mark display means. In this case, by confirming the direction indication mark, the operator can move the ultrasonic probe to an appropriate position while grasping the short axis direction, and can quickly puncture the puncture needle.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the transducer installation surface according to claim 5, wherein the first element unit and the second element unit are located on a probe bottom surface and are in contact with the subject to transmit and receive the ultrasonic waves. It is arranged so as to be substantially T-shaped when viewed from the side, and the mark display means displays a T-shaped mark schematically showing the direction of the ultrasonic probe on the same screen. And

  Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the mark display means displays a T-shaped mark schematically indicating the direction of the ultrasonic probe on the same screen. By confirming the display direction of the mark, the orientation of the ultrasonic probe can be easily grasped. The puncture needle can be punctured quickly by confirming the positional relationship between the short-axis image and the long-axis image corresponding to the direction of the ultrasonic probe.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the puncture needle according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, wherein the puncture needle is disposed along a longitudinal section indicated by the long-axis image at a lower portion of the side surface of the probe body on the first element unit accommodation side. The gist is that a puncture guide attachment for guiding the puncture needle to be inserted into the subject at a predetermined angle set in a detachable manner.

  Therefore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the puncture guide attachment is fixed to the lower part of the side surface of the probe body on the first element unit accommodation side, the novice who is unfamiliar with the use of the ultrasonic image display device. Even in such a case, the puncture needle can be punctured quickly and accurately. In this case, the puncture needle is punctured from the first element unit side, and the puncture needle image is displayed on the short axis image at a timing earlier than the long axis image. Therefore, when the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are exchanged as described above, the operator can quickly confirm the cross-sectional structure of the subject without discomfort by displaying the short-axis image as it is without being inverted. be able to.

  The invention according to claim 8 is for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves to obtain a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. Using an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged orthogonally to each other, the short axis image and the long axis image are displayed on the same screen based on a reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. In the ultrasonic image display method for simultaneously displaying and supporting a puncture operation on the subject using a puncture needle, the image data is generated based on the reflected wave signal, and the short image created using the image data is used. An image display step for displaying the axial image and the long-axis image side by side, a switching signal input step for inputting a first switching signal for instructing the left-right switching of the image position, and an input of the first switching signal As a condition, the short axis image and the front And an image display switching step of performing image processing for displaying the image of the long axis image while reversing the left and right sides while displaying the image of the short axis image without reversing the left and right sides. The gist of the ultrasonic image display method is characterized by this.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 8, in the image display step, the image data is generated based on the reflected wave signal of the ultrasonic wave obtained using the ultrasonic probe, and the short axis is used using the image data. An image and a long axis image are created, and the short axis image and the long axis image are displayed side by side on the same screen. In the switching signal input step, a first switching signal for instructing the left / right switching of the image position is input. In the image display switching step, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are interchanged on the condition that the first switching signal is input. At this time, the short-axis image is displayed without being horizontally reversed, while the long-axis image is horizontally reversed and displayed. In this way, the operator can confirm the cross-sectional structure of the subject without discomfort after switching the screen, and can quickly puncture the puncture needle.

  The invention according to claim 9 is for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves to obtain a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. Using an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged orthogonally to each other, the short axis image and the long axis image are displayed on the same screen based on a reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. Simultaneously displaying and generating image data based on the reflected wave signal in a computer built in an ultrasonic image display device that supports a puncturing operation on the subject using a puncture needle, and using the image data An image display step for displaying the short-axis image and the long-axis image created side by side, a switching signal input step for inputting a first switching signal for instructing the left-right switching of the image position, Subject to switching signal input An image for performing image processing for switching the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image and displaying the image of the short-axis image without reversing left and right while reversing the image of the long-axis image. The gist of the recording medium stores a program for performing the display switching step.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 9, the ultrasonic image display apparatus can be realized by operating a computer in accordance with a program stored in a recording medium. By using the ultrasonic image display device, the operator can confirm the cross-sectional structure of the subject without discomfort after switching the screen, and can quickly puncture the puncture needle.

  As described above in detail, according to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the positions of the short axis image and the long axis image on the screen are switched according to the direction of the ultrasonic probe, and the puncture needle is punctured quickly. be able to.

The front view which shows the angiography apparatus of 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an angiography apparatus according to a first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the short-axis image and long-axis image of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the probe main body of an ultrasonic probe. Explanatory drawing which shows the image layout which displayed the short-axis image and the long-axis image side by side. Explanatory drawing which shows the image layout which displayed the short-axis image and the long-axis image side by side. Explanatory drawing which shows the image layout which displayed the short-axis image and the long-axis image side by side up and down. Explanatory drawing which shows the image layout which displayed the short-axis image and the long-axis image side by side up and down.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an angiography apparatus as an ultrasonic image display apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an angiographic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the angiographic apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the angiography apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and an ultrasonic probe 3 connected to the apparatus main body 2. An angiography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that supports a puncture operation of a puncture needle 6 such as a catheter with respect to a vein 5 in a living tissue 4 (subject), for example, and is a short-axis image showing a transverse section of the vein 5. 8 and a long-axis image 9 showing a longitudinal section of the vein 5 in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image 8 are simultaneously displayed on the same screen 10 (see FIG. 3).

  The ultrasonic probe 3 includes a signal cable 11, a probe main body 12 connected to the distal end of the signal cable 11, a puncture guide attachment 14 that is detachably fixed to the probe main body 12, and a base end of the signal cable 11. And a probe-side connector 15 provided on the device. A connector 16 is provided in the apparatus main body 2, and a probe-side connector 15 of the ultrasonic probe 3 is connected to the connector 16.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 is a linear probe for performing linear electronic scanning, and, for example, linearly scans ultrasonic waves of 5 MHz. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 (probes) are arranged on the transducer installation surface 20 serving as the bottom surface of the probe main body 12 so that the arrangement directions are orthogonal to each other and are substantially T-shaped. Yes.

  More specifically, a first element unit 25 in which a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers 23 for acquiring the short-axis image 8 is arranged inside the probe main body 12 and a long-axis image 9 are acquired. And a second element unit 26 in which a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers 24 are arranged. The plurality of first ultrasonic transducers 23 in the first element unit 25 are linearly arranged along the minor axis direction X corresponding to the cross section. The plurality of second ultrasonic transducers 24 in the second element unit 26 are linearly arranged along the major axis direction Y corresponding to the longitudinal section. In the present embodiment, the number of elements of the first ultrasonic transducer 23 arranged in the first element unit 25 is, for example, 48, and the second ultrasonic transducer arranged in the second element unit 26. The number of 24 elements is, for example, 80. Therefore, the length of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 in the arrangement direction is longer in the second element unit 26 than in the first element unit 25.

  In the second element unit 26, an ultrasonic transducer array 27 in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 24 are arranged in the major axis direction Y is arranged along the center line L 0 of the probe body 12 on the transducer installation surface 20. Has been. That is, in the present embodiment, the extension line L0 of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 in the major axis direction Y and the center line L0 of the probe main body 12 coincide with each other on the transducer installation surface 20. Further, the ultrasonic transducer arrays 27 in the major axis direction Y are arranged so that the start ends thereof are located at substantially the center of the ultrasonic transducer array 28 in the minor axis direction X.

  In the ultrasonic probe 3 of the present embodiment, the scanning of the ultrasonic waves in the substantially T-shaped ultrasonic transducer arrays 27 and 28 is, for example, one end of the ultrasonic transducer array 28 in the short axis direction X (for example, FIG. 2). Is started from the ultrasonic transducer 23 at the start end). Then, the elements are sequentially performed one by one toward the ultrasonic transducer 23 at the other end of the ultrasonic transducer array 28 in the short axis direction X (for example, the terminal end at the left end in FIG. 2). Thereafter, the other end from the ultrasonic transducer 24 at one end of the ultrasonic transducer row 27 in the major axis direction Y located at the approximate center of the ultrasonic transducer row 28 in the minor axis direction X (the start end which is the lower end in FIG. 2). Ultrasonic scanning is performed in order for each element toward the ultrasonic transducer 24 at the upper end (the upper end in FIG. 2).

  In the ultrasonic probe 3 of the present embodiment, the transducer installation surface 20 located on the bottom surface of the probe main body 12 is a contact surface with the biological tissue 4 and serves as a transmission / reception surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. A portion of the transducer mounting surface 20 where the ultrasonic transducer arrays 27 and 28 are arranged in a substantially T shape is provided with a substantially T-shaped acoustic lens 29 (see FIG. 4) via an acoustic matching layer (not shown). Is arranged. The acoustic lens 29 is made of, for example, a silicone resin, and is provided on the ultrasonic radiation surface 30 side of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 in the first element unit 25 and the second element unit 26. The acoustic lens 29 is formed in a convex shape with a curved outer surface in contact with the living tissue 4, and an ultrasonic beam output in the normal direction from the ultrasonic radiation surfaces 30 of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24. The aperture is narrowed down and converged at a predetermined focal position.

  In the probe main body 12, the lower end portion of the side surface 37a on the extension line of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 in the major axis direction Y (center line L0 of the probe main body 12 on the transducer installation surface 20) and on the first element unit storage side (FIG. 4). Then, a positioning portion 31 is provided at the lower end portion of the left side surface. The positioning portion 31 is a convex portion that serves as a mark for determining the insertion position of the puncture needle 6 with respect to the living tissue 4. Furthermore, on the transducer installation surface 20 of the probe body 12 that the living tissue 4 contacts, at both ends in the minor axis direction X, convex strips 32 for avoiding compression of the observation site of the living tissue 4 are arranged in the major axis direction. It is provided along Y (see FIG. 4). By providing the pair of ridges 32 apart from each other on the transducer installation surface 20 of the probe body 12, the region between the pair of ridges 32 on the transducer installation surface 20 side is not pressed too strongly. Therefore, the vein 5 at the observation site is prevented from being crushed, and the vein 5 can be punctured with certainty.

  Furthermore, in the probe main body 12 of the present embodiment, two types for identifying the short axis direction X and the long axis direction Y on the side surface 37a on the first element unit accommodation side and the side surface 37b on the second element unit accommodation side. Line-like probe side identification portions 38a and 38b are provided. Specifically, the probe side identification part 38a of the side surface 37a on the first element unit accommodation side is a dotted line identification part, and the probe side identification part 38b on the side surface 37b on the second element unit accommodation side is a double line shape. It is an identification part. These probe side identification parts 38a and 38b are formed by coloring in a line shape using a paint (for example, black) different from the color (for example, white) of the probe main body 12. Note that the probe-side identification portions 38a and 38b may be formed by sticking a seal tape printed with dotted lines or double lines to the side surfaces 37a and 37b of the probe main body 12. In the present embodiment, the probe-side identification portions 38a and 38b are located close to the transducer installation surface 20 on the side surfaces 37a and 38b, and each element unit is at the same height position with respect to the transducer installation surface 20. 25 and 26 are provided so as to surround the entire circumference.

  The puncture guide attachment 14 includes a puncture needle guide portion 34 in which a guide groove 33 for guiding the puncture needle 6 is formed, an angle adjustment mechanism 35 that can adjust the insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 in multiple steps, and a probe. And a fixing portion 36 that is fitted into and fixed to the lower part of the side surface of the main body 12. The puncture guide attachment 14 has the puncture needle 6 positioned at the center of the cross section indicated by the short axis image 8 and the puncture needle 6 attached to the living tissue 4 at a predetermined angle along the vertical cross section indicated by the long axis image 9. The puncture needle 6 is guided to be inserted. The puncture guide attachment 14 of the present embodiment is a resin molded part formed using a flexible resin material.

  The lower portion of the probe main body 12 has a hammerhead type outer shape (substantially T-shaped) in which the first element unit 25 disposed on the distal end side protrudes in the lateral direction (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In the puncture guide attachment 14, the fixing portion 36 is formed in an annular shape along the hammerhead type outer shape. For example, an engagement recess (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral side of the fixed portion 36, and the engagement recess engages with an engagement protrusion (not shown) formed on the probe main body 12. A puncture guide attachment 14 is fixed to the probe body 12.

  In the puncture guide attachment 14, an angle adjustment mechanism 35 is provided at one end of the fixing portion 36, and a puncture needle guide portion 34 is detachably attached to the angle adjustment mechanism 35. The puncture needle guide part 34 protrudes at a position spaced upward from the transducer installation surface 20. The angle adjustment mechanism 35 is an adjustment mechanism that is provided so as to move the puncture needle guide portion 34 in multiple steps in the circumferential direction around the positioning portion 31 of the probe main body 12 and to be fixed at each position. The angle adjustment mechanism 35 is provided with, for example, three stages of switching positions.

  The guide groove 33 of the puncture needle guide portion 34 is formed so as to extend along the extension line L0 of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 in a projection view from the transducer installation surface 20 side. The puncture needle guide portion 34 is constituted by two rod-like members 40 extending in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducer arrays 27 in the major axis direction Y and having base end portions connected to each other. The shape seen is substantially U-shaped. A gap provided between the two bar-shaped members 40 in the puncture needle guide portion 34 is a guide groove 33. In a state where the puncture guide attachment 14 is attached to the probe body 12, the guide groove 33 is disposed on the center line L 0 of the probe body 12. The guide groove 33 is provided with an opening 41 for introducing the puncture needle 6 and a bottom portion 42 for contacting the introduced puncture needle 6. Further, the guide groove 33 of the puncture needle guide portion 34 is provided with a puncture needle introduction portion 43 formed so that the groove width gradually increases toward the opening 41 side.

  The insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 is determined by the combination of the bottom portion 42 of the guide groove 33 and the positioning portion 31 of the probe main body 12. That is, the puncture of the living tissue 4 is performed by bringing the needle tip side of the puncture needle 6 into contact with the lower side of the positioning portion 31 of the probe body 12 and bringing the side surface of the puncture needle 6 into contact with the bottom 42 of the guide groove 33. The insertion angle of the needle 6 is determined. Further, in the puncture guide attachment 14, the angle adjustment mechanism 35 is operated to move the puncture needle guide portion 34 to change the position of the bottom portion 42 of the guide groove 33, thereby determining the bottom portion 42 and the positioning portion 31. The insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 is adjusted in multiple steps. Note that the angle adjustment mechanism 35 can adjust the insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 in a multistage manner in the inserted state.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the angiography apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 2 of the angiography apparatus 1 includes a controller 50, a pulse generation circuit 51, a transmission circuit 52, a reception circuit 53, a signal processing circuit 54, an A / D conversion circuit 55, and an image processing circuit 56. , A memory 57, a storage device 58, an input device 59, a display device 60, and the like. The controller 50 is a computer configured to include a known central processing unit (CPU), and executes a control program using the memory 57 to control the entire apparatus in an integrated manner.

  The pulse generation circuit 51 operates in response to a control signal from the controller 50, and generates and outputs a pulse signal having a predetermined period. The transmission circuit 52 includes a plurality of delay circuits (not shown) corresponding to the number of elements of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 in the ultrasonic probe 3, and based on the pulse signal output from the pulse generation circuit 51, The drive pulse delayed according to the sound wave vibrators 23 and 24 is output. The delay time of each drive pulse is set so that the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic probe 3 is focused at a predetermined irradiation point.

  The reception circuit 53 includes a signal amplification circuit, a delay circuit, and a phasing addition circuit (not shown). In this receiving circuit 53, each reflected wave signal (echo signal) received by each ultrasonic transducer 23, 24 in the ultrasonic probe 3 is amplified, and the delay time considering the reception directivity is each reflected wave signal. Is added to, and then phased and added. By this addition, the phase difference between the reception signals of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 is adjusted.

  The signal processing circuit 54 includes a logarithmic conversion circuit, an envelope detection circuit, and the like (not shown). The logarithmic conversion circuit in the signal processing circuit 54 logarithmically converts the reflected wave signal, and the envelope detection circuit detects the envelope of the output signal of the logarithmic conversion circuit. The A / D conversion circuit 55 converts an analog signal output from the envelope detection circuit of the signal processing circuit 54 into a digital signal.

  The image processing circuit 56 performs luminance modulation processing based on the reflected wave signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 55 and generates image data of the B-mode ultrasonic image (short axis image 8 and long axis image 9). To do. Specifically, the image processing circuit 56 generates image data having luminance corresponding to the amplitude (signal intensity) of the reflected wave signal. Here, image data of a short-axis image 8 showing a transverse section of the living tissue 4 and a long-axis image 9 showing a longitudinal section of the living tissue 4 are generated. Based on the image data output from the image processing circuit 56, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 of the living tissue 4 are displayed on the display device 60 with black and white shading.

  The input device 59 includes a keyboard 61, a trackball 62, various operation buttons 63 (63a to 63f), and the like, and is used for inputting requests and instructions from the user. The display device 60 is, for example, a display such as an LCD or a CRT, and is used to display a short-axis image 8 and a long-axis image 9 (see FIG. 3) of the living tissue 4 and an input screen for various settings.

  The storage device 58 is a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, or the like, and stores a control program and various data in a recording medium. The controller 50 transfers programs and data from the storage device 58 to the memory 57 in accordance with instructions from the input device 59, and executes them sequentially. The program executed by the controller 50 may be a program stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, a flexible disk, or an optical disk, or a program downloaded via a communication medium, and is installed in the storage device 58 at the time of execution. Use.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 are displayed side by side on the display screen 10 of the display device 60 of the present embodiment. In the screen layout of FIG. 3, the short axis image 8 is displayed at the right position and the long axis image 9 is displayed at the left position. In the ultrasonic probe 3, a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers 23 (48 elements) arranged in the first element unit 25 and a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers arranged in the second element unit 26. The ratio of the number of elements to 24 (80 elements) is 3: 5. For this reason, in this embodiment, the distribution of the display area of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 on the display screen 10 is set to 3: 5 according to the ratio of the number of elements. On the display screen 10, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are displayed in a state where the position P <b> 1 on the surface of the living tissue 4 is matched.

  On the display screen 10, the image side identification units 68 a and 68 b corresponding to the types of the probe side identification units 38 a and 38 b (dotted line or double line type) are displayed at positions corresponding to the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9. Has been. Specifically, a dotted line image-side identification unit 68a is displayed so as to surround the short-axis image 8 corresponding to the probe-side identification unit 38a on the first element unit accommodation side, and on the second element unit accommodation side. Corresponding to the probe-side identification unit 38b, a double-line image-side identification unit 68b is displayed so as to surround the long-axis image 9.

  In the angiography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, on the display screen 10, the positions of the two images of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched left and right to perform image display. It has a function. The switching of the image layout is performed, for example, by operating the screen switching operation buttons 63a and 63b in the input device 59.

  In the display screen 10 shown in FIG. 5, the short axis image 8 is arranged on the right side and the long axis image 9 is displayed on the left side. In the display screen 10 shown in FIG. 6, the short axis image 8 is arranged on the left side. A long axis image 9 is displayed on the right side. In the angiography apparatus 1, for example, when the operation button 63a indicating the left direction is operated while the display screen 10 of FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device 60, the display screen 10 of FIG. The screen is switched to the display screen 10. That is, on the display screen 10, the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched left and right, and the image of the short-axis image 8 is displayed as it is without being horizontally reversed, while the image of the long-axis image 9 is horizontally reversed. Image processing is performed. Similarly, when the operation button 63b that indicates the right direction is operated while the display screen 10 of FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 60, the display screen 10 of FIG. 6 is changed to the display screen 10 of FIG. Can be switched. That is, on the display screen 10, the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched left and right, and the image of the short-axis image 8 is displayed as it is without being horizontally reversed, while the image of the long-axis image 9 is horizontally reversed. Image processing is performed.

  Next, an operation example when inserting the puncture needle 6 of the catheter into the vein 5 of the living tissue 4 using the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below.

  Here, an operator such as a doctor first determines the insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 suitable for the treatment section of the patient. Then, the operator attaches the puncture guide attachment 14 in which the position of the puncture needle guide portion 34 is set by operating the angle adjustment mechanism 35 so as to be the insertion angle to the probe body 12. In addition, the operator applies an acoustic medium (sterile gel or sterilized gel) to the surface of the biological tissue 4 serving as the treatment section, and then contacts the transducer installation surface 20 of the probe main body 12 through the acoustic medium. Further, an operation button 63 provided on the input device 59 is operated to set an image layout corresponding to the direction of the ultrasonic probe 3. For example, when the operator holds the ultrasound probe 3 with the left hand and performs the puncturing operation of the puncture needle 6 with the right hand, an image layout is displayed in which the short axis image 8 is displayed on the right side and the long axis image 9 is displayed on the left side. Set (see FIGS. 3 and 5). At this time, the controller 50 temporarily stores image layout setting information in the memory 57.

  Thereafter, the operator operates a scan start button 63e (see FIG. 1) provided on the input device 59. Then, the controller 50 as the image processing means determines the button operation, and starts processing for displaying the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 of the living tissue 4.

  In this process, the controller 50 operates the pulse generation circuit 51 to start transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe 3. Specifically, the pulse generation circuit 51 operates in response to a control signal output from the controller 50, and a pulse signal having a predetermined cycle is supplied to the transmission circuit 52. In the transmission circuit 52, a drive pulse having a delay time corresponding to each of the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 is generated based on the pulse signal and supplied to the ultrasonic probe 3. Thereby, each ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 23 and 24 of the ultrasonic probe 3 vibrates, and an ultrasonic wave is irradiated toward the biological tissue 4. FIG. A part of the ultrasonic wave propagating in the living tissue 4 is reflected by a tissue boundary surface (for example, blood vessel wall) in the living tissue 4 and received by the ultrasonic probe 3. At this time, the reflected waves are converted into electric signals (reflected wave signals) by the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 of the ultrasonic probe 3. The reflected wave signal is amplified by the receiving circuit 53 and then input to the signal processing circuit 54.

  The signal processing circuit 54 performs signal processing such as logarithmic conversion and envelope detection, and the reflected wave signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 55 is supplied to the image processing circuit 56. The image processing circuit 56 performs image processing for generating image data of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 based on the reflected wave signal. The controller 50 temporarily stores each image data generated by the image processing circuit 56 in the memory 57.

  Thereafter, the controller 50 refers to the image layout setting information stored in the memory 57 and outputs the image data of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 corresponding to the image layout to the display device 60 (image display step). ). Further, the controller 50 as the identification unit display means outputs display data of the image side identification units 68a and 68b of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 to the display device 60 corresponding to the image layout. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are simultaneously displayed side by side on the display screen 10 of the display device 60, and a frame around each of the images 8 and 9. -Shaped image side identification parts 68a and 68b are displayed respectively.

  Here, when the orientation of the ultrasound probe 3 is changed by the operator and the operation button 63 is operated to set an image layout corresponding to the orientation of the ultrasound probe 3, the left and right of the position of the image is switched. A switching signal (first switching signal) to be instructed is input from the input device 59 to the controller 50 (switching signal input step). The controller 50 outputs the image data of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 corresponding to the image layout to the display device 60 when the switching signal is input (image display switching step). Further, the controller 50 outputs the display data of the image side identification units 68 a and 68 b of the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 to the display device 60. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are displayed while being switched left and right, and the image of the short-axis image 8 is displayed as it is without being horizontally reversed. The image of the long axis image 9 is displayed with its left and right reversed.

  Then, the operator confirms the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 displayed on the display screen 10 of the display device 60 and adjusts the position of the ultrasonic probe 3. Here, first, the first element unit 25 side of the ultrasonic probe 3 is moved so that the transverse section of the vein 5 is imaged in the center of the short-axis image 8. Further, the second element unit 26 side of the ultrasonic probe 3 is moved so that the longitudinal section of the vein 5 is photographed along the long-axis image 9, and the direction in which the vein 5 extends (axial direction) and the probe body The 12 major axis directions Y are matched.

  Thereafter, the operator introduces the puncture needle 6 of the catheter through the opening 41 of the guide groove 33 in the puncture needle guide portion 34 of the puncture guide attachment 14. Then, the operator brings the needle tip of the puncture needle 6 into contact with the position of the positioning portion 31 of the probe main body 12, and after bringing the side surface of the puncture needle 6 into contact with the bottom 42 of the guide groove 33, Then, the puncture needle 6 is inserted. Then, the puncture needle 6 is displayed in the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9. In the present embodiment, since the puncture needle 6 is inserted from the first element unit 25 side, the puncture needle 6 is displayed on the long axis image 9 after the puncture needle 6 is displayed on the short axis image 8, and the puncture needle 6 is displayed. The puncture needle 6 can be inserted while grasping the insertion route.

  When the needle tip of the puncture needle 6 reaches the blood vessel wall of the vein 5, the needle tip does not penetrate the blood vessel wall and the blood vessel wall is recessed in a tent shape (tenting). When the operator determines that the tenting has sufficiently progressed based on the dent of the blood vessel wall, the operator moves the rear end side of the puncture needle 6 along the guide groove 33 toward the opening 41. As a result, the insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 is changed so that the puncture needle 6 is aligned with the direction of the vein 5, so that the needle tip easily penetrates the blood vessel wall of the vein 5 and the needle tip enters the blood vessel. Inserted. Based on the long-axis image 9, the operator confirms that the needle tip of the puncture needle 6 has reached the vein 5 and stops the puncture operation of the puncture needle 6. Thereafter, the operator operates a scan end button 63f (see FIG. 1) provided on the input device 59. The controller 50 determines the button operation, and ends the process for displaying the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 of the living tissue 4.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched between the left and right when the first switching signal instructing the left-right switching of the image position is input. The image of the axial image 8 is displayed without being horizontally reversed, while the image of the long-axis image 9 is displayed horizontally reversed. In the present embodiment, since the puncture needle 6 is inserted into the living tissue 4 from the first element unit 25 side, which is the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 3, the puncture is performed at a timing earlier than that of the long-axis image 9. An image of the puncture needle 6 is displayed on the axial image 8. Therefore, the operator confirms the cross-sectional structure of the vein 5 with reference to the short-axis image 8 that is a cross-sectional image viewed from the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 3. Therefore, when the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched as in the present embodiment, the image of the short-axis image 8 is displayed as it is without being inverted, so that the operator can feel the discomfort of the vein 5 without any discomfort. The cross-sectional structure can be confirmed quickly.

  (2) In the angiography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the probe main body 12, the probe-side identification unit 38a having a different line type is provided on the side surface 37a on the first element unit accommodation side and the side surface 37b on the second element unit accommodation side. 38b is provided. Then, at the positions corresponding to the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 on the display screen 10, image-side identification units 68a and 68b corresponding to the line types of the probe-side identification units 38a and 38b are displayed. In this way, the short axis direction X of the first element unit 25 that acquires the short axis image 8 and the long axis direction Y of the second element unit 26 that acquires the long axis image 9 can be easily recognized visually. Can do. Therefore, the operator can accurately move the ultrasonic probe 3 while confirming the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 and the image-side identification portions 68a and 68b of these images, and puncture the living tissue 4. It is possible to quickly find the vein 5 which is a part and quickly puncture the puncture needle 6.

  (3) In the ultrasonic probe 3 of the present embodiment, by using the puncture guide attachment 14 fixed to the probe main body 12, even if the operator is a beginner unfamiliar with the use of the angiography apparatus 1, The puncture needle 6 can be punctured quickly and accurately.

(4) In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers 23 arranged in the first element unit 25 and a plurality of second ultrasonic elements arranged in the second element unit 26. The distribution of the display area of the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 on the display screen is set according to the ratio of the number of elements to the ultrasonic transducer 24. Further, a short-axis image 8 and a long-axis image 9 are displayed in a state where the position P1 on the surface of the living tissue 4 is matched. In this way, in the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9, the vein 5 to be punctured has the same display magnification and is displayed at the same depth position from the tissue surface. For this reason, the cross-sectional structure of the vein 5 can be grasped more accurately, and the puncture operation of the puncture needle 6 can be performed quickly.
[Second Embodiment]

  Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an angiography apparatus as an ultrasonic image display apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition to the function of displaying the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 side by side as in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is It has a function of displaying the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 side by side (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The configuration of the angiography apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the angiography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays an image by switching the positions of the two images of the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 on the display screen 10. It has a function to do. The image layout is switched, for example, by operating the screen switching operation buttons 63c and 63d (see FIG. 1) for instructing the vertical direction on the input device 59. 7 and 8, a short axis image 8 and a long axis image 9 are displayed in a state where the position P1 of the surface of the living tissue 4 is aligned on the right side.

  In the display screen 10 shown in FIG. 7, the short axis image 8 is arranged on the upper side, the long axis image 9 is displayed on the lower side, and in the display screen 10 shown in FIG. 8, the short axis image 8 is arranged on the lower side. The long axis image 9 is displayed on the upper side. In the angiography apparatus 1, for example, when the operation button 63 c instructing the downward direction is operated while the display screen 10 of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 60, a switching signal ( Second switching signal) is input. And the controller 50 changes the position of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 up and down at the time of the input of a switching signal (from the display screen 10 of FIG. 7 to the display screen 10 of FIG. 8). At this time, the controller 50 displays the image of the short-axis image 8 as it is without being inverted upside down, while displaying the image of the long-axis image 9 as being inverted upside down.

  Similarly, when the operation button 63d that indicates the upward direction is operated while the display screen 10 of FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 60, a switching signal (second switching signal) is sent from the input device 59 to the controller 50. Signal) is input. Then, the controller 50 switches the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 up and down at the time of input of the switching signal, and displays the image of the short-axis image 8 as it is without being vertically inverted, while the long-axis image 9 These images are displayed upside down (see FIG. 7).

  In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a direction indication mark M1 that indicates the moving direction of the image according to the short axis direction X of the ultrasonic probe 3 is located at a position corresponding to the short axis image 8 on the display screen 10. It is displayed. In the image layouts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are displayed with the position P1 of the surface of the living tissue 4 aligned on the right side. That is, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are in a display state rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction with respect to the image layouts of FIGS. Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 3 is moved to the left and right in the short axis direction X, the short axis image 8 moves in the vertical direction on the display screen 10 in FIGS. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the direction indication mark indicating that the moving direction of the short-axis image 8 corresponding to the left-right direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 (short axis) indicates the right side (R) and the left side (L). Displayed by M1.

  Further, a T-shaped mark M2 schematically showing the direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 is displayed on the display screen 10. That is, the direction indication mark M2 in FIG. 7 is displayed in the direction in which the T-character can be read correctly, and indicates that the ultrasonic probe 3 is facing upward. On the other hand, the direction indication mark M2 in FIG. 8 is displayed with the T-shape turned upside down, indicating that the ultrasonic probe 3 is facing downward.

  In the present embodiment, an image layout corresponding to the direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 is determined by the controller 50 based on a switching signal input from the input device 59 to the controller 50. Then, the controller 50 as the mark display means outputs image data for displaying the direction indication mark M1 and the T-shaped mark M2 to the display device 60. As a result, the marks M1 and M2 are displayed on the display screen 10 of the display device 60.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched up and down at the time of inputting the second switching signal instructing the up-and-down switching of the image position. The image of the axial image 8 is displayed without being upside down, while the image of the long axis image 9 is displayed upside down. Thus, when the positions of the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are switched, the image of the short-axis image 8 is displayed as it is without being inverted, so that the operator can quickly confirm the cross-sectional structure of the vein 5 without a sense of incongruity. can do.

  (2) In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the direction indication mark M1 is displayed at a position corresponding to the short-axis image 8 on the display screen 10. In this case, when the operator confirms the direction indication mark M1, the ultrasonic probe 3 can be moved to an appropriate position while grasping the short axis direction X, and the puncture needle 6 can be punctured quickly. Can do.

  (3) In the angiography apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the T-shaped mark M2 that schematically shows the direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 is displayed on the display screen 10, the operator can select the T-shaped mark. By confirming the display direction of M2, the orientation of the ultrasonic probe 3 can be easily grasped. Then, by confirming the positional relationship between the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 corresponding to the direction of the ultrasonic probe 3, the puncture needle 6 can be punctured quickly.

  In addition, you may change each embodiment of this invention as follows.

  In the angiography apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 can be obtained from the image layout (see FIGS. 5 and 6) in which the short-axis image 8 and the long-axis image 9 are displayed side by side. May be configured to switch to an image layout (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) arranged vertically. Specifically, in the angiography apparatus 1, for example, when the operation button 63c instructing the downward direction is operated while the display screen 10 of FIG. A switching signal (third switching signal) is input to 50. When the switching signal is input, the controller 50 changes from the image layout (see FIG. 5) where the positions of the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 are displayed side by side to the image layout (see FIG. 8) displayed side by side. Switch. At this time, the controller 50 displays the image of the short-axis image 8 by rotating it 90 ° clockwise while displaying the image of the long-axis image 9 by rotating it 90 ° clockwise and turning it upside down. Process.

  Further, for example, when the operation button 63a that indicates the left direction is operated in a state where the display screen 10 of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 60, for example, a switching signal (a third signal is sent from the input device 59 to the controller 50). Switching signal) is input. When the switching signal is input, the controller 50 changes from the image layout (see FIG. 7) where the positions of the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 are displayed side by side to the image layout (see FIG. 6) displayed side by side. Switch. At this time, the controller 50 displays the image of the short-axis image 8 by rotating it 90 ° counterclockwise, while rotating the image of the long-axis image 9 by 90 ° counterclockwise and flipping it horizontally. Perform image processing.

  Even when the angiography apparatus 1 is configured in this way, the image of the short axis image 8 is displayed without being inverted when switching the image layout, so that the operator can quickly confirm the cross-sectional structure of the vein 5 without a sense of incongruity. can do. Further, by confirming the image side identification units 68a and 68b displayed around the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9, the short axis image 8 in the short axis direction X and the long axis direction Y are displayed on the display screen 10. The position of the long axis image 9 can be quickly grasped.

  In the angiography apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the short axis image 8 and the long axis image with the position P1 of the surface of the living tissue 4 aligned on the right side. 9 is displayed side by side upside down. On the contrary, the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 may be displayed side by side with the surface position P1 aligned on the left side. Good.

  In each of the above embodiments, the probe-side identifying units 38a and 38b and the image-side identifying units 68a and 68b are dotted line and double line identifying units having different line types. It may be an identification unit such as a different line, a one-dot chain line, a two-dot chain line, a wavy line, or a crank-shaped line. In addition, the probe-side identification units 38a and 38b and the image-side identification units 68a and 68b may be line-shaped identification units having different display colors. Furthermore, as the probe-side identification portions 38a and 38b, dotted line-shaped concave portions and convex portions, linear concave portions and convex portions are formed, and as the image-side identification portions 68a and 68b, identification portions corresponding to the shapes of the concave and convex portions. May be displayed. Thus, when providing the probe side identification parts 38a and 38b of a recessed part or a convex part, an identification part can be grasped visually and sensuously. In this case, the operator touches the probe-side identification units 38a and 38b with his / her hand without changing the line of sight from the short-axis image 8 or the long-axis image 9 on the display screen 10, and thus the short-axis direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 is changed. X and the major axis direction Y can be confirmed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the probe-side identification portions 38a and 38b are provided so as to surround the entire circumference of each element unit 25 and 26 on the side surfaces 37a and 37b of the probe main body 12, but this is not limited thereto. It is not a thing. A probe-side identification portion parallel to the short axis direction X is extended from a side surface 37a parallel to the short axis direction X on the first element unit housing side, and a side surface 37b parallel to the long axis direction Y on the second element unit housing side. Alternatively, a probe-side identification portion parallel to the long axis direction may be provided. Further, the probe-side identification units 38a and 38b and the image-side identification units 68a and 68b are not limited to line-shaped identification units, but may be marks having a predetermined shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, or a circle, for example. .

  In the angiography apparatus 1 of each of the above embodiments, the puncture operation of the puncture needle 6 is performed using the ultrasonic probe 3 with the puncture guide attachment 14 attached thereto, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, by repeatedly performing the puncturing operation of the puncture needle 6 using the puncture guide attachment 14, an operation feeling such as an appropriate insertion angle of the puncture needle 6 and a force input is acquired. For this reason, when a skilled worker uses the angiography apparatus 1, the puncture operation of the puncture needle 6 may be performed using the ultrasonic probe 3 that is not equipped with the puncture guide attachment 14.

  In the ultrasonic probe 3 of each of the above embodiments, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves are arranged so as to be substantially T-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. In the ultrasonic probe 3, the ultrasonic transducers 23 and 24 may be arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and may be arranged in an L shape or a cross shape, for example.

  In the angiographic apparatus 1 of each of the above embodiments, the short axis image 8 and the long axis image 9 of the vein 5 are displayed and the treatment using the catheter is performed, but other treatment such as blood sampling is performed. In this case, the angiography apparatus 1 may be used. The angiography apparatus 1 is not limited to the angiography apparatus, and an ultrasonic image display apparatus that displays nerve short axis images and long axis images other than blood vessels to perform nerve block injection treatment, The present invention may be embodied in an ultrasonic image display apparatus that displays a long-axis image and performs a steroid injection treatment into a tendon sheath.

  In each of the above embodiments, the blood vessel photographing apparatus 1 that does not perform display by the color Doppler method is embodied. However, the present invention may be embodied by an ultrasonic image display device that has a display function by the color Doppler method. .

  Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the respective embodiments described above are listed below.

  (1) In Claim 2, the image processing means instructs to switch from a screen layout in which the short axis image and the long axis image are displayed side by side to a screen layout in which the image is displayed side by side. At the time of signal input, the position of the short axis image and the long axis image is switched from the screen layout displaying the images side by side to the screen layout displaying the images side by side, and the image of the short axis image is rotated 90 ° clockwise or An ultrasonic image display apparatus that performs image processing for displaying an image of the long axis image by rotating it by 90 ° or 270 ° in a clockwise direction and rotating it upside down while displaying the image by rotating it by 270 °.

  (2) In Claim 2, the image processing means instructs to switch from a screen layout that displays the short-axis image and the long-axis image side by side to a screen layout that displays side-by-side. When inputting a signal, the position of the short-axis image and the long-axis image is switched from a screen layout in which the positions of the short-axis image are displayed vertically to a screen layout in which the positions of the short-axis image are displayed side-by-side. Alternatively, the ultrasonic image display device performs image processing for displaying the image of the long-axis image by rotating it by 90 ° or 270 ° counterclockwise and reversing it horizontally while displaying the image by rotating it by 270 °. .

  (3) In any one of claims 1 to 7, the image processing means displays the short-axis image and the long-axis image in a state in which the position of the surface of the subject is aligned on the same screen. An ultrasonic image display device.

  (4) In any one of claims 3 to 7, the plurality of first ultrasonic transducers arranged in the first element unit and the plurality of second ultrasonic elements arranged in the second element unit. 2. An ultrasonic image display device in which distribution of display areas of the short-axis image and the long-axis image on the same screen is set according to a ratio of the number of elements to two ultrasonic transducers .

  (5) The ultrasonic image display device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the probe-side identification unit is provided at a position near the transducer installation surface on the side surface.

  (6) In any one of claims 3 to 7, the probe-side identification unit surrounds the entire circumference of each element unit at the same height position with respect to the transducer installation surface on the side surface. An ultrasonic image display device provided in the apparatus.

  (7) In any one of claims 3 to 7, the probe-side identification unit is a concave or convex identification unit having a different shape, and the image-side identification unit has a shape of the probe-side identification unit. An ultrasonic image display device characterized by being an identification unit displayed correspondingly.

  (8) In any one of claims 3 to 7, the probe-side identification unit is a line-shaped identification unit having a different display color, and the image-side identification unit is a line-shaped unit corresponding to the display color. An ultrasonic image display device, which is an identification unit and is displayed so as to surround the short-axis image and the long-axis image on the same screen.

  (9) In any one of claims 1 to 7, the image processing unit performs luminance modulation processing based on the reflected wave signal, thereby obtaining the image data having a luminance corresponding to the signal intensity of the reflected wave signal. An ultrasonic image display device characterized by generating the ultrasonic image display device.

  (10) In any one of claims 3 to 7, the probe main body of the ultrasonic probe has a hammerhead type outer shape in which the first element unit disposed on the tip side protrudes in the lateral direction. An ultrasonic image display device.

  (11) In any one of claims 3 to 7, in the probe main body, the insertion position of the puncture needle is set on the extended line of the second element unit and on the lower end of the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side. An ultrasonic image display device characterized in that a positioning portion for determination is provided.

  (12) The ultrasonic image display according to claim 7, wherein the puncture guide attachment guides the puncture needle so that the puncture needle is positioned at a central portion of a transverse section indicated by the short axis image. apparatus.

  (13) In Claim 7, the puncture guide attachment is formed so as to extend along an extension line in the arrangement direction of the second ultrasonic transducers in a projection view from the transducer installation surface side. An ultrasonic image display device comprising a puncture needle guide portion having a guide groove.

  (14) The ultrasonic image display device according to claim 7, wherein the attachment for puncture guide includes an angle adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the insertion angle of the puncture needle in a multistage manner in the inserted state.

  (15) The ultrasonic image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the subject is a living tissue having a blood vessel therein.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Angiography apparatus as an ultrasonic image display apparatus 3 ... Ultrasonic probe 4 ... Living tissue as a subject 6 ... Puncture needle 8 ... Short axis image 9 ... Long axis image 10 ... Display screen as the same screen 12 ... Probe Main body 14 ... Attachment for puncture guide 20 ... Vibrator installation surface 23 ... First ultrasonic transducer 24 ... Second ultrasonic transducer 25 ... First element unit 26 ... Second element unit 37a ... First element unit accommodation Side surface 37b... Side surface of second element unit housing side 38a, 38b... Probe side identification unit 50... Controller 68a, 68b as image display unit, identification unit display unit, and mark display unit. Instruction mark M2 ... T-shaped mark X ... Short axis direction Y ... Long axis direction

Claims (9)

A plurality of ultrasonic transducers for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves are orthogonal to each other to obtain a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. The puncture needle is used by simultaneously displaying the short axis image and the long axis image on the same screen based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic image display device for supporting a puncture operation on the subject,
The image processing unit generates image data based on the reflected wave signal, and includes image processing means for displaying the short-axis image and the long-axis image created using the image data side by side,
The image processing means swaps the positions of the short axis image and the long axis image on the left and right and reverses the image of the short axis image on the left and right when the first switching signal instructing the left and right switching of the image position is input. An ultrasonic image display device that performs image processing to display the image of the long-axis image while being horizontally reversed while displaying the image. The image processing means includes
A function of displaying the short axis image and the long axis image side by side vertically;
While the second switching signal for instructing the up-and-down switching of the image position is input, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are switched up and down, and the image of the short-axis image is displayed without being inverted upside down. The ultrasonic image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image processing for displaying the long-axis image in an upside down manner is performed. The ultrasonic probe includes a first element unit in which a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers are linearly arranged in a short axis direction so as to acquire the short axis image, and the long axis image. A probe body that houses therein a second element unit in which a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers are linearly arranged in a major axis direction orthogonal to the minor axis direction;
Two types of probe side identification portions for identifying the short axis direction and the long axis direction are provided on the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side and the side surface on the second element unit accommodation side in the probe body, respectively. And
The identification unit display means for displaying an image side identification unit corresponding to the type of the probe side identification unit on the same screen at a position corresponding to the short axis image and the long axis image. 3. The ultrasonic image display device according to 1 or 2. The probe-side identification unit is a line-shaped identification unit having different line types, and extends at least along the minor axis direction on the side surface on the first element unit accommodation side, and also accommodates the second element unit. Extending along at least the major axis direction on the side surface of the side,
The image-side identification unit is a line-shaped identification unit corresponding to the line type of the probe-side identification unit, and is displayed on the same screen so as to surround the short-axis image and the long-axis image, respectively. The ultrasonic image display device according to claim 3.   A mark display means for displaying a direction indication mark for instructing a moving direction of an image according to the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe on the same screen at a position corresponding to the short axis image is provided. The ultrasonic image display apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. The first element unit and the second element unit are arranged on a bottom surface of the probe so as to be substantially T-shaped when viewed from a transducer installation surface that contacts the subject and transmits and receives the ultrasonic wave. And
The ultrasonic image display device according to claim 5, wherein the mark display unit displays a T-shaped mark schematically showing the direction of the ultrasonic probe on the same screen.   The puncture needle is inserted into the subject at a predetermined angle at a predetermined angle along a longitudinal section indicated by the long axis image at a lower part of the side surface of the probe body on the first element unit accommodation side. The ultrasonic image display device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the puncture guide attachment for guiding is detachably fixed. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves are orthogonal to each other to obtain a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. The puncture needle is used by simultaneously displaying the short axis image and the long axis image on the same screen based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. In an ultrasonic image display method for supporting a puncture operation on the subject,
An image display step of generating image data based on the reflected wave signal and displaying the short axis image and the long axis image created using the image data side by side,
A switching signal input step for inputting a first switching signal for instructing the left-right switching of the position of the image;
On the condition that the first switching signal is input, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are switched left and right, and the image of the short-axis image is displayed without being horizontally reversed, while the image of the long-axis image is displayed. An ultrasonic image display method, comprising: an image display switching step of performing image processing to display the image while being reversed horizontally. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers for linearly scanning ultrasonic waves are orthogonal to each other to obtain a short-axis image showing a transverse section of a subject and a long-axis image showing a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the short-axis image. The puncture needle is used by simultaneously displaying the short axis image and the long axis image on the same screen based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave. A computer built in an ultrasonic image display device for supporting a puncture operation on the subject,
An image display step of generating image data based on the reflected wave signal and displaying the short axis image and the long axis image created using the image data side by side,
A switching signal input step for inputting a first switching signal for instructing the left-right switching of the position of the image;
On the condition that the first switching signal is input, the positions of the short-axis image and the long-axis image are switched left and right, and the image of the short-axis image is displayed without being horizontally reversed, while the image of the long-axis image is displayed. A recording medium storing a program for performing an image display switching step for performing image processing to display the image by being reversed horizontally.