JP2018130442A - Measuring device and measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output information corresponding to the presence/absence of a change in a measurement condition in the case of separately measuring mutually corresponding objects to be inspected (for example, breasts).SOLUTION: A comparison part 73 compares a result obtained by radiating an ultrasonic wave to a reference object during radiating the ultrasonic wave to one breast with a result obtained by radiating the ultrasonic wave to a reference object during radiating the ultrasonic wave to the other breast. A comparison result generation part 74 generates information based on the comparison by the comparison part 73, and outputs the information. Since a measuring device outputs the information based on the comparison by the comparison part 73 in this way, the measuring device can output information corresponding to the presence/absence of a change in a measurement condition (temperature) in the case of separately measuring mutually corresponding objects to be inspected (for example, breasts).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring method.

  Breast cancer has a high morbidity worldwide, and screening techniques for its early detection are extremely important from the viewpoint of reducing mortality and improving QOL (Quality of life). Although the standard screening technique, mammography, can't deny the contribution to reducing breast cancer mortality, it cannot be a universal screening technique. In particular, it has been pointed out that the sensitivity of cancer detection is markedly reduced when females with many mammary glands called dense breasts are targeted. For this reason, there is a need for an alternative or auxiliary means for mammography.

  As one of such alternative / auxiliary means, ultrasonic CT (Ultrasound Computed Tomography) is attracting attention. In ultrasonic CT, a large number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged so as to surround a measurement target at 360 °, and an acoustic signal transmitted from the target by receiving transmission waves from each transducer with the same or different transducers. (Transmission wave) and acoustic signal (reflection wave) reflected from the object are measured.

  By such measurement, in addition to the same biological information (morphological information) as that of a normal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, functional information deeply related to a pathological condition such as sound speed or attenuation can be obtained. Ultrasound CT has characteristics not found in other means, such as low invasiveness because it does not use X-rays, no reduction in sensitivity due to dense breasts, and low dependence on the operator. A technique related to a measuring apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed as an ultrasonic CT apparatus for breast cancer examination utilizing this characteristic.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0005635

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed from an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver placed in water to an object to be examined (for example, a breast). It is configured to measure. This is because if two are measured simultaneously, the necessary components are almost doubled, resulting in an increase in the size of the device and an increase in cost.

  In breast cancer screening, the main means is to find a mass in the breast and measure the nature of the mass, so there is no change in detection sensitivity even if the breasts are measured one by one or simultaneously. Conceivable.

  However, detecting breast cancer alone when performing breast examination is inefficient because the subject must receive a separate examination regarding benign disease, and it should be possible to detect benign disease simultaneously with breast cancer examination. preferable.

  However, in the application of ultrasonic CT to screening for benign breast diseases other than breast cancer, measurement of each one becomes a problem.

  For example, when examining mastopathy, the difference in characteristics of both breasts is an important indicator, so if both cannot be measured simultaneously, the difference in results between breasts may have been caused by the disease, or I don't know if it looks different due to changes in measurement conditions between measurements.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that outputs information according to the presence or absence of a change in measurement conditions when the test objects (for example, breasts) corresponding to each other are separately measured.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in this application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  A measuring device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention is a measuring device that irradiates a test object with ultrasonic waves and measures the test target, and includes an irradiation unit that irradiates ultrasonic waves, and a first test object. A first irradiation control unit that controls the irradiation unit to irradiate the target with ultrasonic waves and to irradiate the reference object located at a predetermined distance from the irradiation unit with the ultrasonic waves, and an irradiation unit for the first subject to be examined When the ultrasonic wave is irradiated by the first unit, a first result acquisition unit that acquires a first reference object result that is a result of the target unit being irradiated with the ultrasonic wave by the irradiation unit, and the ultrasonic wave is applied to the first object to be examined. A second irradiation control unit that irradiates the second test target corresponding to the first test target with the ultrasonic wave and controls the irradiation unit to irradiate the reference object with the ultrasonic wave after being irradiated; When the ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the second test object by the irradiation unit, the reference object is Acquired by a second result acquisition unit that acquires a second reference object result that is a result of irradiation of ultrasonic waves by the projecting unit, a first reference object result acquired by the first result acquisition unit, and a second result acquisition unit A comparison unit that compares the result of the second reference object, a generation unit that generates information based on the comparison by the comparison unit, and an output unit that outputs the information generated by the generation unit.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  That is, according to a typical embodiment of the present invention, information corresponding to the presence or absence of a change in measurement conditions can be output when the test objects corresponding to each other are measured separately.

It is the figure which showed the outline | summary about the structural example of the measuring device which is one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the reference object in one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure shown about the function structural example of the signal processing part in one embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the change of the signal strength of the reflected wave in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which the comparison result production | generation part in one embodiment of this invention produces | generates. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary about the example of the flow of the process which acquires the temperature value in one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary about the example of the flow of the process which produces | generates the area | region information in one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary about the example of the flow of a process which produces | generates the calibration image in one embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, parts described with reference numerals in some drawings may be referred to with the same reference numerals although not illustrated again in the description of other drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The measuring apparatus 1 (ultrasonic CT apparatus) of the present embodiment is an apparatus that irradiates the breast 16 (subject to be examined) of the subject 15 with ultrasonic waves and separately measures the left and right breasts 16. The measuring apparatus 1 measures the left and right breasts 16 of the subject 15. This measuring device 1 is provided in an examination room, for example.

  The user of the measuring apparatus 1 uses the measurement result to inspect the breast 16 of the subject 15. In addition, you may make it make it the test object except breast 16 (for example, both legs, both arms, etc.).

  The measuring device 1 includes a control unit 2, a water tank 3, a ring array 4 that can be translated in the axial direction of the water tank 3, a reference object 5 (reference object 5a, reference object 5b, etc.), a spare tank 6, It has a signal processing unit 7 that generates an image to be examined, a storage unit 8, an input / output unit 9, and a bed 10.

  The control unit 2 is a part that controls each unit of the measurement apparatus 1. The control unit 2 controls each unit by sending a control signal according to an instruction received by the input / output unit 9 to each unit. For example, the control unit 2 moves the ring array 4 in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) to operate the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4. Further, the control unit 2 notifies the signal processing unit 7 of the operation status of the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4. Further, the control unit 2 controls the temperature of the hot water contained in the water tank 3 and controls the water pressure of the spare tank 6. The control unit 2 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like.

  The water tank 3 is a water tank connected to the bed 10. This water tank 3 is filled with warm water. The shape of the water tank 3 is cylindrical. The bed 10 has an insertion port, and the breast 16 of the subject 15 can be inserted into the aquarium 3 by inserting the breast 16 into the insertion port.

  The ring array 4 is provided inside the water tank 3. The ring array 4 has a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are ultrasonic transceivers on the array. The piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 irradiate ultrasonic waves based on a control signal sent from the control unit 2. That is, the ring array 4 functions as an irradiation unit. Further, the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 receive transmitted waves or reflected waves by ultrasonic waves emitted from the respective piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric element of the ring array 4 sends the received transmitted wave or reflected wave to the signal processing unit 7.

  When the center frequency of the irradiation ultrasonic wave is 1.5 MHz, the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave in water is about 1 mm. When the pitch of the piezoelectric elements is 0.5 mm, the piezoelectric elements have 2048 channels and the ring array 4 having a diameter of 326 mm is configured. The piezoelectric element irradiates ultrasonic waves (plane waves) with the 512-channel phases aligned. In response to this, the piezoelectric element receives the reflected wave, and the piezoelectric element at the opposite position receives the transmitted wave through 512 channels. As a result, the measuring apparatus 1 can secure a field of view (FOV) of 230 mm in diameter. By repeatedly irradiating the 512-channel piezoelectric elements driven on the ring array 4 by shifting by 4 channels, the signal processing unit 7 can transmit and reflect the transmitted wave and the reflected wave from 360 degrees around the breast 16 of the subject 15. 512 views of the signal can be obtained by 0.7 degrees. The thickness of the piezoelectric element in the axial direction is set to 1 mm, the ring array 4 is displaced at a pitch of 0.5 mm in the axial direction of the water tank 3, and the above photographing is repeated. Thereby, the signal processing unit 7 obtains data of 40 slices with a displacement of 20 mm. With the above procedure, the measuring apparatus 1 obtains three-dimensional information of the breast 16 of the subject 15.

  Among the above-described piezoelectric elements, there is a piezoelectric element that irradiates a reference object 5 described later with ultrasonic waves, and the piezoelectric element receives a reflected wave from the ultrasonic waves that are irradiated to the reference object 5. A piezoelectric element for irradiating the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves is determined in advance, and the control unit 2 stores information for identifying the piezoelectric element.

  The reference object 5 is a rod-shaped member provided inside the ring array 4. The reference object 5 is installed in the water tank 3 in a state in which the distance from the piezoelectric element that irradiates the reference object 5 of the ring array 4 is fixed by a support material (not shown). Four reference objects 5 are installed in the water tank 3. Here, the reference object 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of the reference object 5 and is a view seen from the bottom surface of the water tank 3. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the bottom surface of the water tank 3, the reference object 5 is positioned between the ring array 4 and the breast 16. The reference object 5 is a metal rod having a diameter of 0.5 mm. It is at a position 10 mm away from the piezoelectric element that irradiates the reference object 5. The material of the reference object 5 may be plastic. When the piezoelectric element of the ring array 4 irradiates the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves, the piezoelectric element receives a reflected wave from the reference object 5. The piezoelectric element transmits the reflected wave to the signal processing unit 7.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the reserve tank 6 is a device for purifying hot water or the like. Specifically, the reserve tank 6 purifies, adjusts and degass the warm water held in the reserve tank 6 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 2 and sends the warm water to the water tank 3 through a pump. . In addition, thermometers are attached to the lower part of the water tank 3 and the inside of the reserve tank 6 so that the water temperature can be monitored. However, since the body temperature of the subject 15 is kept constant by the blood flow, a temperature gradient may occur when the breast 16 of the subject 15 exists in the water tank 3.

  The signal processing unit 7 is a part that acquires reflected wave / transmitted wave signals received by the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 and performs image processing operations on these signals to generate images of the left and right breasts 16. Further, the signal processing unit 7 generates information based on a difference in conditions (measurement conditions) at the time of photographing each breast 16. The signal processing unit 7 is realized by a computer including a CPU, a GPU, and the like. Details of image generation and the like will be described later.

  The storage unit 8 is a part that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 8 stores reflected / transmitted wave signals received by the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4, and stores information acquired from the input / output unit 9 described later. Specifically, the storage unit 8 is a memory or a hard disk drive.

  The input / output unit 9 is a part that receives an input (input of a measurement instruction or the like) by a user of the measuring device 1 or displays and outputs the contents processed by the measuring device 1. For example, the input / output unit 9 receives imaging condition information indicating how to perform imaging using the ring array 4 according to an input by a user. This photographing condition information is stored in the storage unit 8. The input / output unit 9 outputs information such as an image generated by the signal processing unit 7. Specifically, the input / output unit 9 is a touch panel, a keyboard, and a monitor (display).

  Note that the control unit 2, the signal processing unit 7, and the storage unit 8 may be provided below the bed 10.

<Inspection procedure>
Here, the inspection procedure will be described. The subject 15 who has completed the interview and changed into the examination clothes enters the examination room, lies down on the bed 10, and inserts one breast 16 into the water tank 3. In this state, the input / output unit 9 receives an instruction from the user of the measuring device 1 to fill the water tank 3 with hot water. Then, the input / output unit 9 sends information indicating the above instruction to the control unit 2. In response to this, the control unit 2 sends a control signal to the effect that the hot water is filled in the water tank 3 to the spare tank 6. The reserve tank 6 fills the water tank 3 with hot water via a pump in response to a control signal from the control unit 2.

  In this state, the input / output unit 9 receives a measurement instruction for one breast 16 from the user of the measurement apparatus 1 and sends information indicating the measurement instruction to the control unit 2. In response to this, the control unit 2 controls the piezoelectric element that can irradiate the breast 16 in the ring array 4 with ultrasonic waves and the piezoelectric element that can irradiate the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves. Is sent, and the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 are irradiated with ultrasonic waves. In this way, the control unit 2 performs control so that one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and the reference object 5 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. That is, the control unit 2 functions as a first irradiation control unit.

  The control unit 2 also sends information indicating which piezoelectric element of the ring array 4 is operating to the signal processing unit 7. In addition, the control unit 2 sends information indicating whether one breast 16 is imaged to the signal processing unit 7.

  As described above, the signal processing unit 7 receives the transmitted wave and reflected wave signals by the ultrasonic waves irradiated by the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4. The signal processing unit 7 generates a measurement image (image 1) of one breast 16 using the received transmitted wave and reflected wave, and outputs the measurement image to the input / output unit 9. This measurement image is a tomographic image of the breast 16. The signal processing unit 7 measures the temperature based on the reflected wave signal of the ultrasonic wave applied to the reference object 5. After the user of the measurement apparatus 1 confirms that the measurement image output by the input / output unit 9 is appropriate, the subject 15 inserts the other breast 16 into the water tank 3.

  In this state, the input / output unit 9 receives a measurement instruction for the other breast 16 from the user of the measurement apparatus 1 and sends information indicating the measurement instruction to the control unit 2. In response to this, the control unit 2 controls the piezoelectric element that can irradiate the breast 16 in the ring array 4 with ultrasonic waves and the piezoelectric element that can irradiate the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves. Is sent, and the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 are irradiated with ultrasonic waves. In this way, the control unit 2 controls the other breast 16 to irradiate ultrasonic waves and the reference object 5 to irradiate ultrasonic waves. That is, the control unit 2 functions as a second irradiation control unit.

  The control unit 2 also sends information indicating which piezoelectric element of the ring array 4 is operating to the signal processing unit 7. In addition, the control unit 2 sends information indicating that the other breast 16 is being imaged to the signal processing unit 7.

  The signal processing unit 7 generates a measurement image (image 2) of the other breast 16 using the received transmitted wave and reflected wave, and outputs the measurement image to the input / output unit 9. The signal processing unit 7 measures the temperature based on the reflected wave signal of the ultrasonic wave applied to the reference object 5.

<Signal processing unit>
Details of the signal processing unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the signal processing unit 7. The signal processing unit 7 according to the present embodiment includes an image signal processing unit 71, a reference object signal processing unit 72, a comparison unit 73, and a comparison result generation unit 74.

  The image signal processing unit 71 is a part that generates a measurement image of the breast 16 using transmitted waves and reflected waves received from the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4. When the control unit 2 sends a control signal indicating an ultrasonic irradiation instruction to the piezoelectric element capable of irradiating the breast 16 with ultrasonic waves, the control unit 2 notifies the image signal processing unit 71 of the fact. Is also sending out. The image signal processing unit 71 specifies from the information received from the control unit 2 which transmitted wave or reflected wave is received from which piezoelectric element of the ring array 4. In addition, the image signal processing unit 71 receives information indicating whether the measurement is for one breast 16 or the other breast 16 from the control unit 2 and specifies which breast 16 is being measured. .

  When the measurement signal is generated, the image signal processing unit 71 outputs the measurement image to the input / output unit 9 and outputs the measurement image to the storage unit 8 or to the comparison result generation unit 74.

  The reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires the result of the ultrasonic waves irradiated to the reference objects 5 by the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 when the respective breasts 16 are irradiated with the ultrasonic waves by the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4. Part. The reference object signal processing unit 72 receives information indicating whether the measurement is for one breast 16 or the other breast 16 from the control unit 2 and identifies which breast 16 is being measured.

  In addition, the reference object signal processing unit 72 specifies which piezoelectric element of the ring array 4 is the reflected wave from the information received from the control unit 2. Here, a subscript n (1 ≦ n ≦ N: N is the number of reference objects 5) is assigned to each of the four reference objects 5. In this case, the reference object signal processing unit 72 radiates (transmits) from the piezoelectric element E (n) corresponding to the reference object 5 and receives (receives) the signal at E (n) with the maximum signal intensity. Is determined from the received reflected wave. That is, the reference object signal processing unit 72 specifies the signal intensity of the reflected wave in a predetermined period received from the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 corresponding to each of the reference objects 5, and specifies the time when the signal intensity becomes maximum. Note that the reference object signal processing unit 72 may specify the time when the reflected wave first exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing changes in the signal intensity of the reflected wave. The vertical axis is the signal intensity (unit is, for example, millivolts), and the horizontal axis is the time (unit is, for example, microseconds). A graph of the signal strength of the piezoelectric element E (1) is G1, and a graph of the signal strength of the piezoelectric element E (2) is G2. In this case, the reference object signal processing unit 72 specifies the time t1 for the piezoelectric element E (1). Further, the reference object signal processing unit 72 specifies time t2 for the piezoelectric element E (2). Thereby, the reference object signal processing unit 72 can specify the time until the maximum signal strength is reached.

  Next, the reference object signal processing unit 72 determines the sound velocity of each water based on the distance between the piezoelectric element E (n) and the reference object 5 corresponding to the piezoelectric element and the time until the maximum signal intensity is reached. Is calculated. Further, since the sound speed has temperature dependency, the reference object signal processing unit 72 calculates a temperature Temp (n) that is a temperature around each reference object 5 from the calculated sound speed based on the dependency. The reference object signal processing unit 72 stores in advance information that associates the sound speed with the temperature, and calculates the temperature from the sound speed using the information. Subsequently, the reference object signal processing unit 72 calculates a dispersion value σ of the temperature around each reference object 5.

  The reference object signal processing unit 72 compares the calculated dispersion value σ with a preset threshold value max_σ, and stores each Temp (n) when the dispersion value σ is smaller. As described above, the reference object signal processing unit 72 is a result obtained by irradiating the reference object 5 with the ultrasonic wave when the one breast 16 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave (a result obtained by the reflected wave from the reference object 5). Each Temp (n) is acquired as the first reference object result).

  Similarly to the method of calculating each Temp (n) of one breast 16, the reference object signal processing unit 72 irradiates the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. Each Temp (n) is acquired as a result (a second reference object result that is a result of a reflected wave from the reference object 5). That is, the reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires temperature information around the reference object 5 when each breast 16 is measured. As described above, the reference object signal processing unit 72 functions as a first result acquisition unit and a second result acquisition unit.

  Each Temp (n) may be stored in the reference object signal processing unit 72, and each Temp (n) may be stored in the storage unit 8. Further, the reference object signal processing unit 72 compares the calculated dispersion value σ with a preset threshold value max_σ, and if the dispersion value σ is larger, the reference object signal processing unit 72 notifies the input / output unit 9 that there is temperature unevenness. To output and notify the user that the temperature is uneven. If there is no abnormality in the measuring device 1 itself, the measurement is performed again.

  The reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires the temperature information around the reference object 5 when measuring each breast 16, and then notifies the comparison unit 73 to that effect and measures each breast 16. Each Temp (n) at that time is sent to the comparison unit 73. Further, the reference object signal processing unit 72 measures the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring one breast 16 and the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring the other breast 16. Are sent to the comparison result generation unit 74. Note that the reference object signal processing unit 72 may register these variance values σ in the storage unit 8.

  The comparison unit 73 acquires each Temp (n) acquired by the reference object signal processing unit 72 when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and each Temp (n) when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. n). The comparison unit 73 receives from the reference object signal processing unit 72 each Temp (n) when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and each Temp (n) when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. get.

  Here, Temp (n) when ultrasonic waves are applied to one breast 16 is Temp (1, n), and Temp (n) when ultrasonic waves are applied to the other breast 16 is Temp. (2, n). In this case, the comparison unit 73 calculates Δ (n) = Temp (1, n) −Temp (2, n). That is, the comparison unit 73 compares each Temp (n) when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and each Temp (n) when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, The difference value of each Temp (n) is calculated. This difference value is information indicating a temperature difference in a region around the reference object 5. The comparison unit 73 sends the calculated Δ (n) to the comparison result generation unit 74.

  The comparison result generation unit 74 is a part that generates information based on the result compared by the comparison unit 73. The comparison result generation unit 74 acquires Δ (n) from the comparison unit 73. The comparison result generation unit 74 generates information indicating Δ (n) in an area around each reference object 5 as information based on the value of Δ (n). FIG. 5 shows an example of information generated by the comparison result generation unit 74. As shown in FIG. 5, there are four regions 20 (regions 20 a to 20 d), and this region 20 is a region that is estimated to be measured at a temperature around each reference object 5. The imaging range belongs to any region in the vicinity of each reference object 5. Since four reference objects 5 are arranged at equal intervals, each region 20 has a shape obtained by dividing a circle into four.

  The comparison result generation unit 74 color-codes the region 20 with a display color corresponding to the acquired value of Δ (n). As described above, the comparison result generation unit 74 differs between each Temp (n) when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and each Temp (n) when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. (Information based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit 73) is generated.

  Further, the comparison result generation unit 74 acquires the measurement image of one breast 16 and the measurement image of the other breast 16 from the image signal processing unit 71, and the one breast based on Δ (n) acquired from the comparison unit 73. Either one of the measurement images of the 16 and the other breast 16 may be calibrated. The comparison result generation unit 74 stores the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring one breast 16 and the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring the other breast 16. Alternatively, it is obtained from the reference object signal processing unit 72, and the respective variance values σ are compared. The comparison result generation unit 74 calibrates the measurement image having the higher variance value σ according to the value of Δ (n).

  The comparison result generation unit 74 sends the generated information to the input / output unit 9. The input / output unit 9 displays and outputs the measurement image of one breast 16 and the measurement image of the other breast 16 acquired from the image signal processing unit 71. The input / output unit 9 further provides information based on the difference between each Temp (n) when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and each Temp (n) when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. indicate. Thereby, when there is a difference between images to be compared, it is possible to present information as to whether it indicates a difference in tissue properties or a difference in measurement conditions.

  When the input / output unit 9 acquires a calibrated measurement image, the input / output unit 9 may display the measurement image and a measurement image that is not a calibration target. Thus, the input / output unit 9 outputs the information generated by the comparison result generation unit 74.

<Process flow (acquisition of temperature value)>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of a flow of processing for acquiring a temperature value in the present embodiment. First, the reference object signal processing unit 72 specifies the time when the signal (reflected wave signal) received by the piezoelectric element corresponding to each reference object 5 reaches the maximum signal intensity (S1). Subsequently, the reference object signal processing unit 72 calculates a sound speed based on the distance from the piezoelectric element to the reference object 5 and the specified time, and calculates a temperature corresponding to each reference object 5 based on the sound speed (S2). ). Subsequently, the reference object signal processing unit 72 calculates a dispersion value of the calculated temperature (S3). Further, when the variance value is less than the threshold value (S4: Yes), the reference object signal processing unit 72 sends the calculated temperature to the comparison unit 73 (S5). Further, when the calculated dispersion value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S4: No), the reference object signal processing unit 72 sends a message indicating that there is temperature unevenness to the input / output unit 9 and outputs that effect (S6).

<Processing flow (generation of region information)>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the flow of processing for generating region information in the present embodiment. First, the comparison unit 73 calculates a difference value (difference between each Temp (n) when the ultrasonic wave is applied to one breast 16 and each Temp (n) when the ultrasonic wave is applied to the other breast 16. Information). That is, the comparison unit 73 calculates the temperature difference between the regions around the reference object 5 in the images 1 and 2 (S11). Subsequently, the comparison result generation unit 74 generates information on a region color-coded with the display color corresponding to the acquired temperature difference, and the input / output unit 9 outputs the information (S12).

<Processing flow (generation of proof image)>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of a flow of processing for generating a calibration image in the present embodiment. First, the comparison unit 73 calculates a difference value (difference between each Temp (n) when the ultrasonic wave is applied to one breast 16 and each Temp (n) when the ultrasonic wave is applied to the other breast 16. Information). That is, the comparison unit 73 calculates the temperature difference between the regions around the reference object 5 in the images 1 and 2 (S21). Subsequently, the comparison result generation unit 74 calculates the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring one breast 16 and the variance value σ of each Temp (n) when measuring the other breast 16. Obtained from the storage unit 8 or the reference object signal processing unit 72 (S22). When the variance value of the measurement image (image 2) of the other breast 16 is larger (S23: Yes), the comparison result generation unit 74 calibrates the image 2 based on the temperature difference (S24). When the variance value of the measurement image (image 1) of one breast 16 is equal to or greater than the variance value of the measurement image (image 2) of the other breast 16 (S23: No), the image 1 is calibrated based on the temperature difference. (S25).

<Effect>
As described above, in the measurement apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 2 controls the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 so that one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, and the ring array 4. The piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 are controlled so that the reference object 5 located at a predetermined distance from the piezoelectric elements is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. The reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires the result (temperature information around the reference object 5) of irradiating the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves when the one breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. In addition, the control unit 2 controls the ring array 4 so as to irradiate the other breast 16 (the breast 16 corresponding to the one breast 16) with ultrasonic waves, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 to the reference object 5. The piezoelectric elements of the ring array 4 are controlled so as to irradiate. The reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires the result of irradiating the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves when the other breast 16 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves.

  The comparison unit 73 applies the ultrasonic wave to the reference object 5 when the one breast 16 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave and the reference object 5 when the ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the other breast 16. The result of ultrasonic irradiation is compared. The comparison result generation unit 74 generates information (for example, information obtained by comparing the temperatures of the image 1 and the image 2) based on the comparison by the comparison unit 73, and the input / output unit 9 outputs the information.

  As described above, the measurement apparatus 1 outputs information based on the comparison by the comparison unit 73. Therefore, when measurement objects (for example, breasts) corresponding to each other are separately measured, the measurement condition (temperature) changes. Information according to the presence or absence can be output.

  Further, since the shape of the reference object 5 is a rod shape, the position can be fixed, and there is no dependency depending on the placement.

  The material of the reference object 5 is either metal or plastic. In this case, since it is difficult to deform, a stable result can be obtained.

  Further, the reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires a result based on a reflected wave caused by irradiating the reference object 5 with the ultrasonic wave when the one breast 16 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, and the other breast 16 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave. When the ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the reference object 5, the result based on the reflected wave obtained by irradiating the reference object 5 with the ultrasonic wave is acquired. In this case, as compared with the transmitted wave, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the measurement condition has changed as much as it does not pass through the test object.

  Further, the comparison result generation unit 74 outputs information indicating the temperature difference between the image 1 and the image 2. In this case, the measurement apparatus 1 provides information that can determine whether the difference in the results between the breasts 16 is caused by a disease or whether the difference appears to be apparent due to a change in measurement conditions between measurements. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the reference object 5 has a rod shape has been described. Alternatively, a gel-like solid having known acoustic characteristics may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the reference object signal processing unit 72 acquires the result of the reflected wave from the reference object 5 has been described. Instead, the result of the transmitted wave that passes through the reference object 5 is acquired. You may make it do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where there are four reference objects 5 has been described. However, more reference objects 5 may be provided, or only one reference object 5 may be provided. .

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it described that the control part 2 and the signal processing part 7 were implement | achieved by the computer which has CPU etc. Instead of this, it may be realized by a circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or may be realized by software having the functions of the control unit 2 and the signal processing unit 7. Good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the reference object signal processing unit 72 calculates each Temp (n) as a result obtained by irradiating the reference object 5 with ultrasonic waves (result of a reflected wave from the reference object 5). Said. Instead of this, the reference object signal processing unit 72 may calculate the speed of sound when each reference object 5 is irradiated. Since there is a dependency between the sound speed and the temperature, it is possible to determine whether there is a temperature difference even if the sound speed is compared.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to the one having all the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

  Each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, and the like may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them with, for example, an integrated circuit. Each of the above-described configurations, functions, and the like may be realized by software by interpreting and realizing a program that realizes each function by the processor. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function can be stored in a recording device such as a memory, a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

  The present invention can be used in a measuring device that radiates ultrasonic waves.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Measuring device, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Water tank, 4 ... Ring array, 5 ... Reference object, 6 ... Spare tank, 7 ... Signal processing part, 8 ... Memory | storage part, 9 ... Input-output part, 10 ... Bed, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Subject, 16 ... Breast, 20 ... Area | region, 71 ... Image signal processing part, 72 ... Reference object signal processing part, 73 ... Comparison part, 74 ... Comparison result production | generation part.

Claims (6)

A measuring device that irradiates a test object with ultrasonic waves and measures the test object,
An irradiation unit for irradiating ultrasonic waves;
A first irradiation control unit that controls the irradiation unit to irradiate a reference object located at a predetermined distance from the irradiation unit and irradiate the first test object with ultrasonic waves;
A first result acquisition unit that acquires a first reference object result that is a result of irradiation of the reference object with ultrasonic waves by the irradiation unit when the irradiation unit is irradiated with ultrasonic waves by the irradiation unit. When,
After the first test object is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, the second test object corresponding to the first test object is irradiated with ultrasonic waves, and the reference object is irradiated with ultrasonic waves from the irradiation unit. A second irradiation control unit for controlling the irradiation unit,
A second result acquisition unit that acquires a second reference object result that is a result of irradiating the reference object with ultrasonic waves by the irradiation unit when the irradiation unit is irradiated with ultrasonic waves by the irradiation unit. When,
A comparison unit that compares the first reference object result acquired by the first result acquisition unit with the second reference object result acquired by the second result acquisition unit;
A generator that generates information based on the comparison by the comparator;
An output unit for outputting information generated by the generation unit;
A measuring device comprising: The measuring device according to claim 1,
A measuring apparatus, wherein the reference object has a rod shape. The measuring device according to claim 2,
A measuring apparatus, wherein the reference object is made of metal or plastic. The measuring device according to claim 1,
The first result acquisition unit acquires a result of a reflected wave from the reference object as the first reference object result,
The second result acquisition unit is a measurement device that acquires a result of a reflected wave from the reference object as the second reference object result. The measuring device according to claim 1,
The measurement device generates information indicating a difference between a first reference object result acquired by the first result acquisition unit and a second reference object result acquired by the second result acquisition unit. An irradiation unit irradiates an object to be examined with ultrasonic waves, and is a measurement method in a measuring device that measures the object to be examined.
The first irradiation control unit of the measurement apparatus irradiates the first object to be examined with ultrasonic waves, and causes the irradiation unit to emit ultrasonic waves to a reference object located at a predetermined distance from the irradiation unit. A first control step for controlling;
The first result acquisition unit of the measurement device is a result of the ultrasonic wave being applied to the reference object by the irradiation unit when the irradiation unit is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave by the irradiation unit. A first result acquisition step of acquiring a reference object result;
The second irradiation control unit of the measuring device irradiates the second test object corresponding to the first test object with the ultrasonic wave after the first test object is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, and the irradiation. A second control step of controlling the irradiation unit to irradiate the reference object with ultrasonic waves from the unit;
The second result acquisition unit of the measurement device is a result of the ultrasonic wave being applied to the reference object by the irradiation unit when the irradiation unit is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave by the irradiation unit. A second result acquisition step of acquiring a reference object result;
A comparison step in which the comparison unit of the measurement device compares the first reference object result acquired in the first result acquisition step with the second reference object result acquired in the second result acquisition step;
A generation step in which the generation unit of the measurement device generates information based on the comparison in the comparison step;
An output step in which the output unit of the measurement device outputs the information generated in the generation step;
Measuring method.