JP2021159495A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, control method of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and control program of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of assisting an examiner in fixing an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to ultrasonic examinations performed with an ultrasonic probe pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture comprises: a pressure distribution detection unit 13 for detecting a pressure at which each position on a subject side surface of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject after fixing the ultrasonic probe; a living body position detection unit 12 for detecting a position of a moving living body part that moves with the movement of the subject based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after fixing the ultrasonic probe; and a guide unit 14 for guiding an examiner to optimize the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe so that the pressure acting on the moving living body part by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value based on the detection results of each of the pressure distribution detection unit 13 and the living body position detection unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a control program of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Conventionally, there is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates a tomographic image in a subject by transmitting ultrasonic waves into the subject and receiving and analyzing the ultrasonic echo. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can acquire a two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image in real time by scanning the ultrasonic waves converged in a specific direction with respect to the azimuth direction. Then, by continuously generating ultrasonic images in time with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is possible to observe a moving image of a biological part of a subject (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-216976

By the way, the inventors of the present application use the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as a biological part in a subject such as a joint part and a muscle part, which moves according to the movement of the subject (hereinafter, "moving biological part"). We are considering applying it to observations. For example, by observing the movement of the joint part when the subject moves (for example, raising the leg) with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the damaged state of the joint part (for example, contraction of muscles, tendons, skin, etc.) It is possible to grasp in detail the joint range of motion limitation) and the like.

When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is applied to the observation of the moving body part, it represents the side surface of the ultrasonic probe (the surface of the housing of the ultrasonic probe facing the subject) even when the subject operates. The same shall apply hereinafter) must be fixed so that it does not shift from the moving body part to be inspected. Therefore, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is applied to the observation of the moving body part, the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject with a fixture (for example, a band), and the subject operates in that state. At that time, the ultrasonic image of the moving body part will be observed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a setting state for observing a moving body part (here, a knee joint) with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In FIG. 1, with the ultrasonic probe 200 pressed against the side surface of the knee of the subject P1, the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the side surface of the knee of the subject P1 with a fixture (here, a band) B1. The mode to be used is shown.

At this time, the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed so that the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, which is the side surface of the subject, faces the subject P1. Then, in such a state, by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 200, a tomographic image (see FIG. 7 described later) of a joint portion (for example, a meniscus) in the subject P1 is taken. In the setting state of FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 200 and the subject P1 are arranged so that an air layer does not intervene between the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 and the observation site of the subject P1 having a curved outer shape. An elastic member (for example, an acoustic coupler) C1 is arranged between the two.

However, such fixing work of the ultrasonic probe may be complicated and difficult unless a skilled inspector is required to make fine adjustments. In particular, in many cases, the fixture B1 presses the moving body part to be inspected via the ultrasonic probe 200 and restrains the movement of the moving body part, and the ultrasonic inspection of the moving body part is appropriate. In some cases, it has not been implemented. Further, when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed by the fixture B1, the position of the moving body part to be inspected may be displaced.

Taking the setting mode of FIG. 1 as an example, when the subject P1 raises the leg, the joint portion moves upward, so that the ultrasonic probe 200 is firmly located on the lower side of the knee joint position. It is preferable that it is fixed loosely on the upper side of the position of the knee joint.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of assisting an inspector in fixing an ultrasonic probe. The purpose is to provide a control program for.

The main disclosure that solves the above-mentioned problems is
An ultrasonic diagnostic device applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe has a pressure distribution detection unit that detects the pressure acting on the subject.
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. A living body position detection unit that detects the position of a moving body part,
Based on the detection results of the pressure distribution detection unit and the biological position detection unit, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body unit by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. A guide unit that provides guidance to optimize the fixed state of the probe,
It is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with.

Also, in other aspects,
It is a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, the first step of detecting the pressure at which each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject,
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. The second step of detecting the position of the moving body part and
Based on the detection results of each of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is used for the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. The third step to guide you to optimize the fixed state,
It is a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Also, in other aspects,
It is a control program of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, the first step of detecting the pressure at which each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject,
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. The second step of detecting the position of the moving body part and
Based on the detection results of each of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is used for the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. The third step to guide you to optimize the fixed state,
It is a control program of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to assist the examiner in fixing the ultrasonic probe.

The figure which shows an example of the setting state for observing a moving body part with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The figure which shows an example of the appearance of an ultrasonic probe The figure which shows an example of the setting state of an ultrasonic probe at the time of an ultrasonic examination. Diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device The figure explaining an example of the processing of the advance information setting part The figure explaining an example of processing of a living body position detection part. The figure which shows an example of the pressure distribution detected by the pressure distribution detection part. The figure which shows an example of the guidance mode by a guide part The figure which shows various aspects when the guide part expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of the amount of misalignment in the 1st guide function and the 2nd guide function. The figure which shows various aspects when the guide part expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of the amount of misalignment in the 1st guide function and the 2nd guide function. The figure which shows various aspects when the guide part expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of the amount of misalignment in the 1st guide function and the 2nd guide function. The figure which shows various aspects when the guide part expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of the amount of misalignment in the 1st guide function and the 2nd guide function. Flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device The figure which shows the modification of the pressure detection method by a pressure distribution detection part The figure which shows the other modification of the pressure detection method by a pressure distribution detection part The figure which shows the other modification of the pressure detection method by a pressure distribution detection part The figure which shows the other modification of the pressure detection method by a pressure distribution detection part The figure which shows the other modification of the pressure detection method by a pressure distribution detection part The figure which shows the modification of the guidance method by a guide part The figure which shows the other modification of the guidance method by a guide part The figure which shows the other modification of the guidance method by a guide part The figure which shows the other modification of the guidance method by a guide part The figure which shows the other modification of the guidance method by a guide part

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

[Configuration of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ultrasonic probe 200. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting state of the ultrasonic probe 200 at the time of ultrasonic inspection.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 and an ultrasonic probe 200. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 and the ultrasonic probe 200 are connected via a cable.

The ultrasonic probe 200 transmits an ultrasonic beam (here, about 1 to 30 MHz) into the subject P1 (for example, a human body), and is reflected in the subject P1 among the transmitted ultrasonic beams. It functions as an acoustic sensor that receives ultrasonic echoes and converts them into electrical signals.

The ultrasonic probe 200 switches, for example, on / off of the vibrator train (for example, the piezoelectric vibrator train) 200aa arranged in an array shape and the drive state of each vibrator in the vibrator train individually or in block units. It is configured to include a channel switching unit (for example, a multiplexer) for controlling. Each transducer of the ultrasonic probe 200 converts the voltage pulse generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 (transmission unit 1) into an ultrasonic beam, transmits it into the subject P1, and reflects it in the subject P1. The ultrasonic echo is received, converted into an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as "received signal"), and output to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 (reception unit 2). Then, the vibrators to be driven by the ultrasonic probe 200 are sequentially switched along the scanning direction, so that ultrasonic scanning in the subject is executed.

The ultrasonic probe 200 can detect the pressure (hereinafter, also referred to as “pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 200”) that each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1. It has a plurality of pressure sensors 201. In FIG. 4, ten pressure sensors 201 are arranged on both sides of the vibrator row 200aa of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 along the arrangement direction (hereinafter, also referred to as the lateral direction) of the vibrators of the vibrator row 200aa. It shows the aspect provided in the above.

The sensor signals of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 are separately transmitted to the control device 10, and are separately stored in the control device 10 as indicating the pressing pressure at each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. Will be done. As a result, the control device 10 detects the pressure distribution of the pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 200. In the present embodiment, the ten pressure sensors 201 represent the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the vibrators in the vibrator row 200aa) of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. ) Is configured to detect the pressure distribution of the pressing pressure at each position in the two-dimensional plane.

The pressure sensor 201 may have any embodiment as long as it can detect the pressing pressure at each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. In the present embodiment, as the pressure sensor 201, refer to a MEMS type pressure sensor (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-255017, which is the prior application of the present applicant) that detects the pressure received from the outside by the diaphragm as the displacement amount of the diaphragm. ) Is used.

At the time of ultrasonic examination, for example, the ultrasonic probe 200 is arranged so that the side surface 200a of the subject faces the subject P1 and the side surface 200a of the subject is pressed against the subject P1. In this state, it is fixed at the position of the moving body part of the subject P1 with the fixture B1. In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 5, a band is shown as an example of a fixture B1 for fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1, but the fixture B1 is a tape, a supporter, or elastic stockings in addition to the band. Etc. may be used.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 includes a transmission unit 1, a reception unit 2, a tomographic image generation unit 3, a display processing unit 4, a monitor 5, an operation input unit 6, and a control device 10.

The transmitter 1 is a transmitter that sends a voltage pulse, which is a drive signal, to the ultrasonic probe 200. The transmission unit 1 includes, for example, a high-frequency pulse oscillator, a pulse setting unit, and the like. The transmission unit 1 adjusts the voltage pulse generated by the high-frequency pulse oscillator to the voltage amplitude, pulse width, and transmission timing set by the pulse setting unit, and transmits each channel of the ultrasonic probe 200.

The receiving unit 2 is a receiver that receives and processes a received signal related to the ultrasonic echo generated by the ultrasonic probe 200. The receiving unit 2 includes a preamplifier, an AD conversion unit, and a receiving beam former. The receiving unit 2 amplifies the received signal related to the weak ultrasonic echo for each channel by the preamplifier, and converts the received signal into a digital signal by the AD conversion unit. Then, the receiving unit 2 uses the receiving beam former to pacify and add the received signals of each channel to combine the received signals of the plurality of channels into one to obtain acoustic line data.

The tomographic image generation unit 3 acquires a received signal from the receiving unit 2 and generates a tomographic image inside the subject P1. For example, when the ultrasonic probe 200 transmits a pulsed ultrasonic beam in the depth direction, the tomographic image generation unit 3 sequentially stores the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo detected thereafter in the line memory. accumulate. Then, the tomographic image generation unit 3 sequentially accumulates the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo at each scanning position in each separate line memory in response to the ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic probe 200 scanning in the subject P1. Then, two-dimensional data that becomes a frame unit is generated. Then, the tomographic image generation unit 3 generates a tomographic image by converting the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo detected at each position inside the subject P1 into a luminance value.

The tomographic image generation unit 3 includes, for example, an envelope detection circuit, a dynamic filter, and a logarithmic compression circuit. The envelope detection circuit detects the signal strength by envelope detection of the received signal. The logarithmic compression circuit performs logarithmic compression on the signal strength of the received signal detected by the envelope detection circuit. The dynamic filter is a bandpass filter whose frequency characteristics are changed according to the depth, and removes a noise component contained in a received signal.

The display processing unit 4 acquires a tomographic image output from the tomographic image generation unit 3 and generates a display image to be displayed on the monitor 5. The display processing unit 4 may perform predetermined image processing such as coordinate conversion processing and data interpolation processing on the tomographic image output from the tomographic image generation unit 3.

Further, when the display processing unit 4 receives a guide image display command from the control device 10 (guide unit 14) for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200, the display processing unit 4 superimposes the guide image on the tomographic image. Or, it is added to a region different from the tomographic image to generate a display image (see FIG. 10 described later).

The monitor 5 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays a display image generated by the display processing unit 4.

The operation input unit 6 is a user interface for the user to perform an input operation, and is composed of, for example, a push button switch, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The operation input unit 6 converts the input operation performed by the user into an operation signal and inputs it to the control device 10.

The control device 10 exchanges signals with the ultrasonic probe 200, the transmission unit 1, the reception unit 2, the tomographic image generation unit 3, the display processing unit 4, the monitor 5, and the operation input unit 6, and controls them in an integrated manner. do. The control device 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Then, each function of the control device 10 is realized by the CPU referring to the control program and various data stored in the ROM or RAM. However, it goes without saying that a part or all of the functions of the control device 10 can be realized not only by processing by software but also by a dedicated hardware circuit or a combination thereof.

[Control device configuration]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 10.

The control device 10 includes a prior information setting unit 11, a biological position detection unit 12, a pressure distribution detection unit 13, and a guide unit 14.

<About the advance information setting unit 11>
The prior information setting unit 11 inspects the tomographic image of the subject P1 (hereinafter referred to as “pre-fixation image”) taken before the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1. Set the information related to the target moving body part. The operation of the prior information setting unit 11 is typically executed before the examiner fixes the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. More specifically, the operation of the prior information setting unit 11 is executed after the pre-fixation image at the target fixed position is taken in a state where the ultrasonic probe 200 is pressed against the target fixed position of the subject P1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing by the advance information setting unit 11. Note that FIG. 7 shows an example of a tomographic image taken in the setting state of FIG. 1, the left direction of FIG. 7 corresponds to the upward direction of the leg of the subject P1, and the right direction of FIG. 7 is covered. It corresponds to the downward direction of the leg of the sample P1. In FIG. 7, P1a represents the moving body part (here, the joint part) of the subject P1, P1b represents the movable range of the moving body part of the subject P1, and P1c represents the immovable living part (subject) of the subject P1. It means a living body part that does not move even when P1 operates. The same applies hereinafter).

The advance information setting unit 11 sets information related to the moving body unit (P1a in FIG. 7) to be inspected, for example, based on a user input operation. At this time, the prior information setting unit 11 receives, for example, an operation from the user to select the area of the moving body part to be reflected in the pre-fixed image, and the user visually recognizes the area of the moving body part while visually recognizing the pre-fixed image. Taking the opportunity of performing the selection operation, the information related to the moving body part to be inspected is set in the memory of the control device 10.

The information related to the moving body part to be inspected set in the prior information setting unit 11 includes, for example, image information of the moving body part to be inspected and position information (for example, coordinates and range) of the moving body part to be inspected. May include. The image information of the moving body part to be inspected is, for example, in the tomographic image after the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1 in the living body position detecting unit 12 described later. It is used to detect the position where the moving body part exists. Further, the position information of the moving body part to be inspected is the position from the initial position of the moving body part after the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1 by the guide part 14 described later. It may be used to calculate the amount of deviation and the direction of displacement.

When setting the information related to the moving body part to be inspected, the prior information setting unit 11 performs pattern recognition processing (for example, template matching, learned CNN, etc.) on the pre-fixed image to fix the image. A method of detecting the position of the moving body part reflected in the front image may be used.

Here, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 further sets the information of the movable range of the moving body part (P1b in FIG. 7) as the information of the moving body part to be inspected. As described above, when performing the ultrasonic examination, it is necessary to prevent the movement of the moving body part from being restrained. Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1. It is preferable that not only the position of the moving body part but also the movable range of the moving body part is not pressed by the pressure acting from the ultrasonic probe 200. In this regard, by setting the movable range of the moving body part as the information of the moving body part to be inspected, the ultrasonic probe 200 is covered by the fixture B1 in the living body position detecting unit 12 described later. After being fixed to the sample P1, the movable range of the moving body part can be detected in addition to the position of the moving body part.

The process of setting the movable range of the moving body part of the prior information setting unit 11 may be based on an input operation by the user, but preferably, the prior information setting unit 11 has a moving image of the pre-fixed image (for example, the subject P1). The movable range of the moving body part is detected from the moving image of the pre-fixed image taken when the joint part is actually moved), and the detected movable range is used as setting information. When detecting the movable range of the moving body part from the moving image of the pre-fixed image, the prior information setting unit 11 can move the moving region in the moving body of the pre-fixed image by using, for example, the inter-frame difference method. It may be detected as a range.

Further, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 also sets the information of the immobile living body portion (P1c in FIG. 7) in the pre-fixed image, in addition to the information relating to the moving living body portion to be inspected. Although the immovable biological part is not a test target, the ultrasonic probe 200 fixes the position of the immovable biological part because the amount of movement in the subject P1 is smaller than that of the moving biological part even when an external force is applied. This is effective reference information for calculating how much the ultrasonic probe 200 deviates from the target fixing position when it is fixed to the subject P1 with the tool B1. From this point of view, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 sets, for example, the position information and the image information of the immovable living body part designated by the user as the information of the immovable living body part in the pre-fixed image. Examples of the immobile living body include an outer surface portion and a skeleton portion of the subject P1.

<About the biological position detection unit 12>
The biological position detection unit 12 is based on a tomographic image (hereinafter, referred to as “post-fixation image”) of the subject P1 taken after the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1 after the fixation. The position of the moving body part to be inspected in the image is detected. The operation of the biological position detection unit 12 is executed after the examiner fixes the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1 and a tomographic image is taken in that state.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing by the biological position detection unit 12. The upper part of FIG. 8 represents the shooting area (R1 area) of the pre-fixed image, and the lower figure of FIG. 8 represents the shooting area (R1 area) of the post-fixed image.

The living body position detecting unit 12 performs pattern recognition processing on the fixed image, for example, and detects the position of the moving body part to be inspected in the fixed image. At this time, the living body position detecting unit 12 detects the moving body part from the image after fixing by template matching using, for example, the image of the moving body part to be inspected set by the prior information setting unit 11. Then, the living body position detecting unit 12 stores the position of the moving living body part detected in the image after fixing in the memory of the control device 10.

The position information of the moving body part to be inspected that appears in the image after fixing is used, for example, in the guide unit 14 described later to recognize the pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected.

Here, it is preferable that the living body position detecting unit 12 also detects the movable range of the moving body part to be inspected. At this time, the living body position detecting unit 12 is fixed with reference to the position of the moving living body part to be inspected, for example, with reference to the information on the movable range of the moving living body part to be inspected set by the prior information setting unit 11. The movable range of the moving body part to be inspected in the posterior image is detected.

Further, it is preferable that the living body position detecting unit 12 further detects the position of the immovable living body part reflected in the image after fixing. At this time, the living body position detecting unit 12 detects the immoving living body part from the image after fixing by template matching using, for example, the image of the immoving living body part set by the prior information setting unit 11. Then, the living body position detecting unit 12 stores the position of the immoving living body part detected in the image after fixing in the memory of the control device 10. As described above, this provides reference information for calculating whether the ultrasonic probe 200 is displaced from the target fixing position when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1. Obtainable.

<About pressure distribution detection unit 13>
After the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 determines the pressure at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1. To detect. The operation of the pressure distribution detection unit 13 is executed after the inspector fixes the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the pressure distribution detected by the pressure distribution detection unit 13. FIG. 9 shows an example of the pressure ps at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 and the allowable limit pt of the pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected. ing. It should be noted that the pressure ps at which each position of the side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 and the permissible limit of the pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as "threshold value"). ) Pt and the comparison process are executed by the guide unit 14 described later. The threshold value pt may be a specified value or may be set by the user.

The pressure distribution detection unit 13 acquires sensor signals from each of a plurality of pressure sensors 201 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided in the ultrasonic probe 200, and based on the sensor signals, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 obtains an ultrasonic probe. Each position of the subject side surface 200a of the 200 (more specifically, each position of the ultrasonic probe 200 in the scanning direction of the subject side surface 200a) detects the pressure acting on the subject P1.

The position of each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 is associated with the position of the tomographic image detected by the biological position detection unit 12 (that is, the position in the arrangement direction of the vibrator train 200aa). Then, the detection result of the pressure distribution detection unit 13 is that after the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1, the moving body of the subject P1 is detected from each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. It serves as a determination material for determining whether or not the pressure acting on the portion exceeds the threshold value. In FIG. 9, the pressure at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 detected by the plurality of pressure sensors 201 acts on the subject P1 falls within the movable range of the moving body portion in the subject P1. Only the pressure acting is shown. In the displayed image, the pressure acting outside the movable range of the moving body part in the subject P1 may also be displayed.

In FIG. 9, the distribution of the pressure at which the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 is detected only in the one-dimensional direction corresponding to the arrangement direction of the vibrator train 200aa, and the threshold value pt is set. It is configured to be compared. However, more preferably, at each position in the two-dimensional plane of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 (that is, each position in the lateral direction and the vertical direction of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200), the ultrasonic probe The pressure distribution on which the side surface 200a of the 200 subject acts on the subject P1 is detected and compared with the threshold value pt. As a result, it is possible to guide whether or not the ultrasonic probe 200 is properly fixed to the subject P1 even in the vertical direction of the ultrasonic probe 200 in the guide image described later.

<About information section 14>
After the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1, the guide unit 14 ultrasonic waves to the examiner based on the detection results of the biological position detection unit 12 and the pressure distribution detection unit 13. Guidance is provided to optimize the fixed state of the probe 200.

The guide unit 14 is, for example, a first guide that guides the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 does not exceed the threshold value. The function and the second guide function for notifying that the fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200 is deviated from the target fixed position due to the ultrasonic probe 200 being fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1. And have.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance mode by the guide unit 14. FIG. 10 shows a mode in which guidance for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is performed by the guidance image R2 displayed on the screen Rall generated on the monitor 5. In the guide image R2 shown in FIG. 10, when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1, the ultrasonic probe 200 is displaced as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the pressure distribution shown in FIG. 9 occurs in the section.

The guidance unit 14 according to the present embodiment provides such guidance by sending a guidance image display command to the display processing unit 4. At this time, the display processing unit 4 generates a display image as shown in FIG. 10 by adding a guide image corresponding to the guide image display command acquired from the guide unit 14 to the display image. The image data related to the guide image is stored in the memory of the display processing unit 4 in advance, for example.

When realizing the first guide function, for example, the guide unit 14 has a position of each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 included in the ultrasonic probe 200 stored in the memory of the control device 10 in advance, and each position in the tomographic image. Using the sensor position data indicating the positional relationship, each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 identifies the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected detected by the living body position detecting part 12. .. Then, the guide unit 14 determines whether or not the pressing pressure on which the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on each position of the moving body portion exceeds the threshold value (see FIG. 9). Then, the guide unit 14 provides guidance particularly when the pressing pressure acting on the moving body portion to be inspected does not exceed the threshold value at any position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. However, if the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected at any position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 exceeds the threshold value, the ultrasonic probe is applied to the examiner. Guidance is provided to encourage the change of the fixed state of 200.

If the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected at any position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 exceeds the threshold value, the pressing pressure of the guide portion 14 is increased. , It is preferable to provide identifiable guidance on how much the threshold value is exceeded.

Further, at this time, the guide portion 14 presses the ultrasonic probe 200 from each position of the subject side surface 200a not only in the position of the moving body part to be inspected but also in the movable range of the moving body part to be inspected. However, it is preferable to guide the inspector so that the value is equal to or less than the threshold value. Note that FIG. 9 shows an aspect in which the threshold value of the comparison target is uniformly set over the position of the moving body part to be inspected and the movable range of the moving body part. The threshold may be changed on a portion-by-part basis. For example, in the movable range of the moving body part, the threshold value set at the position where the moving body part does not exist at the present time may be larger than the threshold value set at the moving body part where the moving body part currently exists.

In the first guide function, the guidance provided by the guide unit 14 is such that the pressure acting on the moving body portion to be inspected is equal to or less than the threshold value, as in the arrow image R2a1 and the comment image R2a2 in FIG. Therefore, it suggests how to tilt the ultrasonic probe 200 or how to loosen the fixture B1 for fixing the ultrasonic probe 200. In the guide image of FIG. 10, for example, on the lower side (right side on the tomographic image) of the moving body part to be inspected, the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected exceeds the threshold value. It is suggested to loosen the fixation mode on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic probe 200 in order to eliminate it.

In the guide image of FIG. 10, the fixation mode of the ultrasonic probe 200 is guided only in the one-dimensional direction corresponding to the arrangement direction of the vibrator train 200aa (that is, the lateral direction of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200). However, the guide portion 14 changes the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 200 along the vertical direction of the subject side surface 200a depending on the vertical pressure distribution of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. Etc. may be suggested.

When realizing the second guide function, the guide unit 14 refers to, for example, the position of the immovable living body portion set in the prior information setting unit 11 and the position of the immovable living body portion detected by the living body position detecting unit 12. Then, the position deviation direction and the position deviation amount of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixing position due to the ultrasonic probe 200 being fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1 are calculated. Then, the guide unit 14 provides guidance for promoting the movement of the ultrasonic probe 200, for example, based on the position shift direction and the position shift amount of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position.

In the second guide function, the guidance performed by the guide unit 14 can be performed by moving the ultrasonic probe 200 in any direction and by what distance, as in the arrow image R2b1 and the comment image R2b2 in FIG. It suggests whether the ultrasonic probe 200 returns to the target fixed position. In the guide image of FIG. 10, for example, when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1, the ultrasonic probe 200 is moved upward from the target fixing position (on the left side on the tomographic image). Since it has shifted, it is suggested to move the ultrasonic probe 200 toward the proximal end side in order to return the state to the target fixed position.

11A to 11D are diagrams showing various aspects when the guide unit 14 represents the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of the amount of misalignment in the first guide function and the second guide function. As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the guide unit 14 expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of misalignment by the color of the arrow, the length of the arrow, the thickness of the arrow, or the number of arrows. You may.

[Control device operation flow]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is, for example, a process in which the control device 10 repeatedly executes the process at predetermined intervals (for example, 100 ms intervals) according to a computer program.

In step S1, the control device 10 determines whether or not there is an execution command of the preparation mode (here, which means the preparation mode for performing the ultrasonic examination of the moving body part) from the user. Here, when the control device 10 receives an execution command for the preparation mode (S1: YES), the process proceeds to step S2, and when there is no execution command for the preparation mode (S1: NO), the control device 10 particularly executes the process. The process of the flowchart of FIG. 12 is terminated.

In step S2, the control device 10 causes the ultrasonic probe 200 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to generate a tomographic image of the subject P1. At this time, the control device 10 may execute the tomographic image generation process of the subject P1 based on the user's operation.

The control device 10 may measure the initial value of the pressure sensor 201 and calibrate the sensor value of the pressure sensor 201 before the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1. This is because the sensor value of the pressure sensor 201 may not show zero even in the state before fixing due to various factors.

In step S3, in the tomographic image generated in step S2, the control device 10 controls the region of the moving body part (including the movable range) to be inspected and the immovable living part not to be inspected under the user's selection operation. The area of is set in its own memory (for example, RAM).

In step S4, the control device 10 waits for an input operation indicating from the user that the tightening of the fixture B1 is completed (that is, the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 by the fixture B1) (S4). : NO), if there is an input operation indicating that the tightening of the fixture B1 is completed (S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the control device 10 causes the ultrasonic probe 200 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to generate a tomographic image of the subject P1. At this time, the control device 10 may execute the tomographic image generation process of the subject P1 based on the user's operation.

In step S6, the control device 10 detects the moving body part (including the movable range) and the immobile living body part set in step S3 in the tomographic image generated in step S5, and these positions in the tomographic image. Is stored in its own memory (for example, RAM).

In step S7, the control device 10 attaches the position of the immobile living body part before fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 set in step S3 to the subject P1 and the ultrasonic probe 200 detected in step S6 to the subject P1. Based on the position of the immovable living body part after fixing, the position deviation direction and the position deviation amount from the target fixing position of the ultrasonic probe 200 are calculated.

In step S8, the control device 10 determines the pressure at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 based on the sensor signals from each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 of the ultrasonic probe 200. (That is, the pressure distribution acting on the subject P1) is detected.

In step S9, the control device 10 guides the inspector to optimize the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 based on the processing results of steps S6 to S8. At this time, in the control device 10, for example, the pressing pressure on which the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 detected in step S8 acts on the position of the moving body portion (and the movable range) of the subject P1 sets a threshold value. Guidance is given on the fixing mode of the ultrasonic probe 200 (changing the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 200, changing the fixing method of the fixture B1) so as not to exceed the value. At this time, the control device 10 displays the ultrasonic probe 200 on the screen displayed on the tomographic image generation unit 3, for example, based on the position deviation direction and the position deviation amount of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position. Guidance is given to encourage movement to return to the fixed target position.

In step S10, the control device 10 determines whether or not the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is appropriate. Then, when the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is not appropriate (S10: NO), the control device 10 returns to step S4 again to execute the processes of steps S4 to S9, and the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is appropriate. If (S10: YES), the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 12 is terminated. The criterion for determining whether or not the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is appropriate is that, for example, the pressing pressure acting on each position of the moving body part (and movable range) of the subject P1 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Whether or not, and whether or not the amount of misalignment of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[effect]
As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A according to the present embodiment, it is possible to guide the inspector to optimize the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200. That is, this makes it possible to prevent the ultrasonic probe 200 from restraining the moving body part (and its movable range) to be inspected. Further, as a result, when performing an ultrasonic inspection of the moving body part to be inspected, the fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200 is displaced from the target fixed position, and the state of movement of the moving body part to be inspected as a whole is changed. It is possible to prevent the inability to grasp.

(Modification 1-1)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 13, each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 is set by using a plurality of pressure sensors 201 provided on the surface 200b opposite to the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200. The method of detecting the pressure acting on the moving body part of the subject P1 is shown. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the pressure acting between the ultrasonic probe 200 and the fixture B1, and indirectly from the detected pressure, the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 to be the subject. The pressure at which each position of 200a acts on the subject P1 will be detected.

(Modification 1-2)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of pressure sensors 201 provided on the contact surface B1a of the fixture B1 with the ultrasonic probe 200 are used, and each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 is the subject P1. It shows a method of detecting the pressure acting on the sensor. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the pressure acting between the ultrasonic probe 200 and the fixture B1, and indirectly from the detected pressure, the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 to be the subject. The pressure at which each position of 200a acts on the subject P1 will be detected.

(Modification 1-3)
15 and 16 are diagrams showing another modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 is subjected to a change in the thickness of an elastic member (for example, an acoustic coupler) C1 provided between the ultrasonic probe 200 and the subject P1. A method of detecting the pressure at which each position of 200a acts on the subject P1 is shown.

The thickness of the elastic member C1 changes according to the pressure applied to the subject P1 by the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200, and the thickness is the region of the elastic member C1 reflected in the tomographic image (FIG. It is possible to detect from (see 16). Therefore, in this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 calculates the thickness of each position of the elastic member C1 reflected in the tomographic image in the scanning direction, and the ultrasonic probe 200 is based on the thickness of each position of the elastic member C1. The pressure (where pressure = strain in the thickness direction of the elastic member C1 × elastic modulus of the elastic member C1) acting on the subject P1 at each position of the subject side surface 200a is detected.

(Modification 1-4)
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 17, each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 is set by using the change in the hardness of the biological part in the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1. The method of detecting the pressure acting on the subject P1 is shown.

When the ultrasonic probe 200 is pressed, the biological part in the subject P1 generally changes in hardness according to the pressure. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 is in the elastic image imaging mode (also referred to as elastography imaging mode), and each portion in the subject P1 in the state before the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1. After detecting the hardness of the ultrasonic probe 200 and fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1, the hardness of the tissue P1d existing at each position in the subject P1 is detected again in the elastic image imaging mode. Then, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects a change in the hardness of the tissue existing at each position in the subject P1 based on the elastic images before and after fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1, thereby detecting the change in the hardness of the tissue existing in the subject P1. , The pressure at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 is detected.

At this time, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 replaces the change in the hardness of the tissue existing at each position in the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1 with the ultrasonic probe 200. Each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 by using the change in the thickness of the tissue existing at each position in the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1. The pressure to be applied may be detected.

The pressure distribution detection unit 13 replaces or, together with the pressure detection method (method using the pressure sensor 201 provided on the side surface 200a of the subject of the ultrasonic probe 200) according to the above embodiment, of the above-described modification. One or more pressure detection methods may be used.

In the modified examples 1-3 and the modified examples 1-4, the pressure at which each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 acts on the subject P1 without providing the pressure sensor 201 on the ultrasonic probe 200. It is useful in that it is possible to detect.

(Modification 2-1)
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a modified example of the guidance method by the guide unit 14.

The modified example shown in FIG. 18 shows a guidance mode in which a guidance image for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the tomographic image on the monitor 5. According to this modification, since the area for displaying the guide image is not required in the display image displayed on the monitor 5, the tomographic image can be enlarged and displayed.

(Modification 2-2)
19A to 19C are diagrams showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide unit 14.

The modified examples shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C show a mode in which the LED lamps 202 and 203 provided in the ultrasonic probe 200 provide guidance for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200. Note that FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of a method of expressing a pressure state acting on a moving body portion by the LED lamp 202 in the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 200 shown in FIG. 19A, and FIG. 19C is shown in FIG. 19A. In the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 200 shown, it is a figure which shows an example of the expression method of the position deviation state from the target fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200 by LED lamp 203.

In this modification, the LED lamp 202 is a lamp that lights up according to the pressure state acting on the moving body portion of the subject P1, and is mounted on the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 in the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic probe 200 (oscillating array). A plurality (here, 5 pieces) are provided along the arrangement direction of the above. The lighting of the plurality of LED lamps 202 is controlled separately. Further, in this modification, the LED lamp 203 is a lamp that lights up according to the position deviation direction and the position deviation amount from the target fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200, and the ultrasonic probe 200 is mounted on the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200. A plurality of (here, five) are provided along the longitudinal direction (arrangement direction of the oscillator train).

In this modification, when it is detected that the pressure acting on the moving body part is larger than the threshold value, the guide part 14 acts on the moving body part among the plurality of LED lamps 202, for example. The LED lamp 202 at a position where the pressure is higher than the threshold value is turned on (see FIG. 19B). At this time, the guide unit 14 expresses how much the pressure acting on the moving body portion is larger than the threshold value, for example, by the amount of light emitted from the LED lamp 202 to be turned on. As a result, the inspector grasps how to change the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the lighting position of the LED lamp 202 so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion is equal to or less than the threshold value. It becomes possible.

Further, when the position deviation of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position is detected, the guide unit 14 is, for example, an LED lamp at a position existing in a direction corresponding to the position deviation direction among the plurality of LED lamps 203. Turn on 203 (see FIG. 19C). At this time, the guide unit 14 expresses the amount of misalignment by, for example, the amount of light emitted from the LED lamp 203 to be turned on. As a result, the inspector can grasp how to change the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 in order to bring the ultrasonic probe 200 closer to the target fixed position from the lighting position of the LED lamp 203. It will be possible.

(Modification 2-3)
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide unit 14.

The modified example shown in FIG. 20 shows a mode in which the LED lamp 204 provided on the ultrasonic probe 200 and the changeover switch 205 provide guidance for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200. In this modification, the LED lamp 204 is provided to express the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1 and to express the position deviation state of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position. It is a lamp, and a plurality (here, 5 pieces) are provided on the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 along the longitudinal direction (arrangement direction of the vibrator trains) of the ultrasonic probe 200. The lighting of the plurality of LED lamps 204 is controlled separately. Further, in this modification, the changeover switch 205 sets the guidance expressed by the LED lamp 204 to a pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1, or the position of the ultrasonic probe 200 deviates from the target fixed position. It is a switch operated by the user to switch between states.

In this modification, the method of expressing the pressure state acting on the moving body part and the method of expressing the state of displacement of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position are the same as those in FIGS. 19B and 19C, respectively. In this modification, when the mode selected by the changeover switch 205 is the mode expressing the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1, the guide unit 14 has a plurality of LED lamps 204. In, the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1 is expressed. Further, in the present modification, when the mode selected by the changeover switch 205 is the mode for expressing the position deviation state of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position, the guide unit 14 has a plurality of modes. The LED lamp 204 expresses the position deviation state of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position.

The switching control of the guidance content expressed by the LED lamp 204 may be automatically performed in a time division manner instead of the user's operation. In that case, it is preferable to provide an identification lamp so that the guidance content expressed by the LED lamp 204 can be identified at the present time.

In the modified examples of FIGS. 19 to 20, the amount of light emitted from the LED lamps 202, 203, and 204 is used to express the magnitude of the pressure acting on the moving body or the amount of misalignment. For example, it may be expressed by the number of LED lamps lit.

The guide unit 14 replaces or together with the guide method according to the above embodiment (a method of guiding the inspector to optimize the fixed state by the guide image displayed on the monitor 5), or the above-mentioned modification. One or more of the example guidance methods may be used.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to assist the examiner in fixing the ultrasonic probe.

A Ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic device main unit 1 Transmitter 2 Receiver 3 Tomographic image generator 4 Display processing unit 5 Monitor 6 Operation input unit 10 Control device 11 Preliminary information setting unit 12 Living body position detection unit 13 Pressure distribution detection unit 14 Guide part 200 Ultrasonic probe 200a Subject side surface 200aa Oscillator row 201 Pressure sensor P1 Subject B1 Fixture C1 Elastic member

Claims (12)

An ultrasonic diagnostic device applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe has a pressure distribution detection unit that detects the pressure acting on the subject.
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. A living body position detection unit that detects the position of a moving body part,
Based on the detection results of the pressure distribution detection unit and the biological position detection unit, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body unit by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. A guide unit that provides guidance to optimize the fixed state of the probe,
An ultrasonic diagnostic device. The guide portion includes the position of the second biological portion in the subject set on the tomographic image of the subject before the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and the super. The ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and then the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture based on the position of the second biological portion detected on the tomographic image of the subject. The displacement amount and the displacement direction of the ultrasonic probe due to being fixed to the subject are calculated, and the guidance is performed including the information related to the displacement amount and the displacement direction.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The second biological part is a biological part in the subject that does not move when the subject moves.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2. The living body position detecting unit detects the movable range of the moving body part based on the tomographic image taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture.
The guide portion provides the guide so that the pressure acting on the subject by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value at each position of the movable range of the moving body portion.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The biological position detection unit includes the tomographic image taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture. The position of the moving body part after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixing tool based on the image of the moving body part set on the tomographic image previously taken. To detect,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The pressure distribution detection unit is a pressure sensor arranged on the surface of the ultrasonic probe facing the subject, a pressure sensor arranged on the surface of the ultrasonic probe facing the fixture, or the above. Based on the sensor signal acquired from at least one of the pressure sensors arranged on the surface of the fixture facing the ultrasonic probe, each position of the subject side surface of the ultrasonic probe is attached to the subject. Detects the pressure acting on it,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pressure distribution detection unit includes the tomographic image taken before the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture. Based on the tomographic image taken after that, the ultrasonic probe is arranged between the ultrasonic probe and the subject as the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture. Calculate the amount of thickness displacement at each position of the elastic member
From the amount of thickness displacement at each position of the elastic member, the pressure at which each position on the side surface of the subject of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject is detected.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pressure distribution detection unit includes an elastic image taken before the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture. Based on the elastic image taken later, the amount of change in hardness or thickness displacement of the tissue at each position in the subject due to the ultrasonic probe being fixed to the subject by the fixture. Calculate the amount,
From the amount of change in hardness or the amount of displacement of the tissue at each position in the subject, the pressure at which each position on the side surface of the subject of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject is detected.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The guide unit provides the guidance with an image displayed on the screen of the monitor of the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The guide unit guides the ultrasonic probe in a lighting mode of a lighting device provided on the ultrasonic probe.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. It is a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, the first step of detecting the pressure at which each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject,
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. The second step of detecting the position of the moving body part and
Based on the detection results of each of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is used for the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. The third step to guide you to optimize the fixed state,
A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is a control program of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination performed in a state where an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed to a subject using a fixture.
After the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, the first step of detecting the pressure at which each position of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe acts on the subject,
Based on the tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, it moves with the movement of the subject among the biological parts in the subject. The second step of detecting the position of the moving body part and
Based on the detection results of each of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is used for the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body portion by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed the threshold value. The third step to guide you to optimize the fixed state,
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic device.

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