JP2784799B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention obtains a tomographic image of a diagnostic part of a subject using ultrasonic waves, and displays color blood flow information superimposed on the tomographic image. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can perform continuous reproduction with good connection of images using the R-wave detected by the biological wave detection unit when image data is continuously reproduced from a plurality of frame memories of an image storage unit It relates to a diagnostic device.

[Conventional technology]

As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this type includes a Doppler detector 2 for detecting a drive signal from blood flow information in a subject by scanning a probe 1, and a Doppler detector 2 for detecting a drive signal. A color calculation unit 3 for calculating the color Doppler amounts of various blood flow parameters based on the Doppler signals from the detector 1, a reflection echo detection unit 4 for detecting a reflection echo signal from a reception signal of the probe 1, and a reflection echo The black and white tomographic image data obtained by digitizing the reflected echo signal from the detection unit 4 and the data of the blood flow data from the color calculation unit 3 are mixed and converted into a color digital signal, and image data for one continuous scan is sequentially obtained. Digital scan converter (hereinafter referred to as “color DSC”) that writes data to multiple frame memories
5), a display unit 6 for displaying the image data read from the frame memory, and a biological wave detecting unit 7 for detecting the biological wave of the subject and generating an R-wave trigger signal.
And a central processing unit 8 for controlling writing and reading to and from the plurality of frame memories. The output signal from the biological wave detector 7 is directly input to the central processing unit 8.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the output signal from the biological wave detection unit 7 is directly input to the central processing unit 8, so that the subject detected by the biological wave detection unit 7 Nine R waves could not be stored. Therefore, multiple frame memories of color DSC5
When image data is continuously reproduced from 10a to 10n, 11a to 11n, and 12a to 12n, loop reproduction cannot be performed continuously using the detected timing of the R wave.
Therefore, conventionally, in order to continuously reproduce such a plurality of image data, the first frame to the last frame of the image data fetched into the plurality of frame memories are directly reproduced in a loop. At this time, since the first frame does not necessarily start at the timing of the R-wave of one heartbeat and the last frame does not necessarily end at the timing of the R-wave of another heartbeat, the image data is transferred from the first frame as described above. If the loop is played back to the last frame as it is, the time phase within one heartbeat may shift when moving from the last frame to the first frame of the next loop. The motion of the image sometimes became unnatural.

In response to this, conventionally, the operation panel 13 shown in FIG. 4 is used to refer to the R wave of the subject 9 detected by an electrocardiograph or the like, and to set the start and stop points of the loop repetition. The central processing unit 8 recognizes that the range between the specified start point and stop point is the loop reproduction range, and performs the loop reproduction between them. However, in this case, it is not easy to set the positions as the start point and the stop point of the loop repetition by the above manual operation, and the examination time of the subject 9 becomes long as a whole.

As another method, an image from the R wave of one heartbeat to the R wave of the next heartbeat is stored at the time of recording, and the loop reproduction is performed between the above R waves during continuous reproduction. Some have done it. However, in this case, although the connection of the images at the loop end is improved, the storage range is limited to one heartbeat. For example, in a state where the backflow of the blood flow occurs only once every few heartbeats, In some cases, the diagnostic ability of the device was reduced.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a problem, and when continuously reproducing image data from a plurality of frame memories of the image storage unit, the connection of images is performed using the R wave detected by the biological wave detection unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing good continuous reproduction.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a Doppler detector that detects a Doppler signal from blood flow information in a subject by scanning a probe, and a Doppler signal from the Doppler detector. A color calculation unit that calculates the amount of color Doppler of various blood flow parameters based on the detected echo signal, a reflection echo detection unit that detects a reflection echo signal from a reception signal of the probe, and a reflection echo signal from the reflection echo detection unit. A color digital system which mixes digitized black-and-white tomographic image data and data of blood flow data from the color operation unit, converts the data into color digital signals, and writes image data for one continuous scan to a plurality of frame memories. A scan converter, a display unit for displaying image data read from the frame memory, and an R-wave A biological wave detection unit that creates a signal,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a central processing unit that controls writing / reading to / from the plurality of frame memories; and on the output side of the living body wave detecting unit, a plurality of R wave trigger signals from the living body wave detecting unit. An R-wave storage unit is provided for storing the R-wave trigger signal in a time series manner and reading out the R-wave trigger signal and sending it to the central processing unit. The loop reproduction is performed between the current frame and the frame corresponding to the newest R wave.

(Operation)

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above stores a plurality of R-wave trigger signals from the biological wave detection unit in a time-series manner by using an R-wave storage provided on the output side of the biological wave detection unit. By reading out the wave trigger signal and sending it out to the central processing unit, when the image data is continuously reproduced from the plurality of frame memories of the color digital scan converter, the frame corresponding to the oldest R wave and the newest R wave are supported. It operates so as to perform loop playback between frames.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays a B-mode tomographic image or a color Doppler amount for a diagnostic site of a subject using ultrasonic waves, and includes a probe 1, a Doppler detector 2, an A / D converter 14, a color calculation unit 3, a reflection echo detection unit 4, an A / D converter 15, and a color digital scan converter (hereinafter abbreviated as "color DSC").
5, a display unit 6, a biological wave detection unit 7, and a central processing unit 8
And comprising.

The probe 1 mechanically or electronically scans and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject 9. Although not shown, the probe 1 is a source of ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves. A vibrator is built in. The Doppler detector 2 detects a Doppler signal from the blood flow information in the subject by scanning the probe 1 using the Doppler effect. The A / D converter 14 receives the Doppler signal output from the Doppler detector 2 and converts it into a digital signal. The color calculation unit 3 receives the digital signal output from the A / D converter 14 and calculates the color Doppler amount of blood flow parameters such as blood flow velocity, velocity dispersion, and reflection intensity. Is a speed calculation unit 3a for calculating a blood flow velocity, a dispersion calculation unit 3b for calculating a velocity variance, and a reflection calculation unit 3c for calculating a reflection intensity.
And

On the other hand, the reflection echo detector 4 controls the probe 1 to generate ultrasonic waves and amplifies the received reflected electric signal, and although not shown, a pulse generator and It has a receiving amplifier and a control circuit for them. The A / D converter 15 receives the reflected echo signal output from the reflected echo detector 4 and converts it into a digital signal.

The color DSC 5 mixes the data of the blood flow data output from the color operation unit 3 with the black-and-white tomographic image data output from the A / D converter 15 and converts the data into a color digital signal. And a color encoder circuit 16 for mixing the data of the blood flow data and the black-and-white tomographic image data and converting the data into color digital signals. Buffer memory 17r (for red), 17g for storing one scan of color digital signals for the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) output from the color encoder circuit 16
(For green), 17b (for blue) and these buffer memories
A plurality of frame memories 10a to 10n (for red), 11a to 11n (for green), 12a to 12n (blue) for the three primary colors, which read data from 17r to 17b and store image data for one continuous scan in sequence For).

The display unit 6 is provided for each frame memory 10a of the color DSC 5.
10n, 11a to 11n, 12a to 12n, converts the image data read out into a television signal and displays it.The display circuit 6a having a D / A converter and a television signal conversion unit, etc. And a television monitor 6b for displaying.

The biological wave detector 7 detects a biological wave such as a heartbeat from the subject 9 and converts it into an electric signal to generate a trigger signal therefrom. An electrocardiograph 18 is attached to the limb of the subject 9,
An R-wave trigger signal Rt shown in FIG. 2 (b) is created from a biological wave as shown in FIG. 2 (a) detected by the electrocardiograph 18.

The central processing unit 8 selects whether to store the image data in each frame memory in the color DSC 5 or to read and display the image data from each frame memory. For example, the reading order is specified.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 19 denotes a writing control unit that controls writing of data to the frame memories 10a to 10n, 11a to 11n, and 12a to 12n of the color DSC 5, and selects each frame memory. When one image data is recorded and written to the next frame memory, the frame memories 10a to 10n, 11a to 11n, and 12a to 12n are sequentially written.
Is to be updated. Reference numeral 20 denotes each frame memory in which the image data is written as described above.
A read control unit that controls reading of data from 10a to 10n, 11a to 11n, and 12a to 12n.
An address and a read control signal for each frame memory are generated. Further, reference numeral 21 denotes a write address and a control signal created by the write control unit 19 or a read address and a control signal created by the read control unit 20, which are selected by a switching signal S output from the central processing unit 8. This is a selector that sends the image data to the color DSC 5 and writes or reads image data into or from each frame memory therein.

Here, in the present invention, an R-wave storage unit 22 is provided on the output side of the biological wave detection unit 7. This R-wave storage unit
The central processing unit 8 stores a plurality of R-wave trigger signals (for example, biological waves such as a heartbeat of the subject 9) from the biological wave detection unit 7 in time series and reads out the R-wave trigger signals to read out the R-wave trigger signals. The output end is connected to the central processing unit 8. Under the control of the central processing unit 8, when continuously reproducing image data from the plurality of frame memories of the color DSC 5, the R-wave storage unit 22 is used.
Using the R-wave trigger signal from, a loop is reproduced between the frame corresponding to the oldest R-wave and the frame corresponding to the newest R-wave.

Next, the operation of loop reproduction of image data in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus thus configured will be described with reference to FIG. Now, as shown in FIG. 1A, each of the frame memories 10a to 10n and 11a to 10c in the color DSC 5 shown in FIG.
It is assumed that there are 32 pieces of 11n and 12a to 12n. Then, the recording of the image data in these frame memories is repeated from the first image to the 32nd image. Also, FIG.
R relating to the subject 9 detected by the biological wave detection unit 7
The timing of the R-wave trigger signal Rt created from the wave is shown. Further, FIG. 3C shows that the R-wave trigger signal Rt output from the biological wave detection unit 7 is stored in the R-wave storage unit 22 in time series.
Shows the state recorded in. In the figure, “0” is recorded when there is no R-wave trigger signal Rt, and “1” is recorded when the R-wave trigger signal Rt is input. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, it is assumed that recording is stopped at the 32nd frame memory. At this time, the 32nd frame memory records the newest image, and the previous 1st frame memory records the oldest image. Thus, the central processing unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 searches for “1” indicating the timing of the R-wave trigger signal Rt stored in the R-wave storage unit 22 as shown in FIG. oldest extracting Rt ₁ shown as R-wave trigger signal in FIG. (b) closest to the timing of extracting the Rt ₂ shown in (b) as the latest R-wave trigger signal. Then, the actually continuous reproduction image data from a plurality of frame memories, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the third sheet corresponding to the oldest of the R-wave trigger signal Rt ₁ in which extracted as above the frame memory and the loop start point Ls, the 31-th frame memory corresponding to the most recent R-wave trigger signal Rt ₂ as the loop end point Le, 3,4,5, ..., 30,31 the frame memory between Loop reproduction may be performed by repeatedly reading. In this case, the third frame memory at the loop start point Ls starts at the timing of the R wave, and the 31st frame memory at the loop end point Le ends at the timing of the R wave. Even at the connection point, images are not broken and are smoothly connected and reproduced.

〔The invention's effect〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the plurality of R-wave trigger signals Rt from the biological wave detection unit 7 are time-sequentially stored by the R-wave storage unit 22 provided on the output side of the biological wave detection unit 7. By storing and reading this R-wave trigger signal Rt and sending it to the central processing unit 8, when continuously reproducing image data from a plurality of frame memories of the color DSC 5,
Loop playback can be performed between the frame corresponding to the oldest R wave closest to the recording stop point and the frame corresponding to the latest R wave. In this case, since the first frame memory of the loop playback of the image starts at the timing of the R wave and the last frame memory ends at the timing of the R wave, the images are smoothly connected without a break at the connection point of the loop repetition. Plays continuously. Therefore, the connection of the images at the time of the transition to the loop of the loop reproduction is improved, and the movement of the images can be made natural. Further, as described above, the plurality of R-wave trigger signals Rt from the biological wave detection unit 7 are stored in the R-wave storage unit 22 in time series, and the R-wave trigger signal Rt is read out and transmitted to the central processing unit 8. Since the image data is continuously reproduced, the inspection can be easily performed without setting the start point and the stop point of the loop reproduction by manual operation as in the related art, and the inspection time for the subject as a whole can be reduced. it can. Furthermore, since images over several heartbeats from the frame corresponding to the oldest R-wave closest to the recording stop point to the frame corresponding to the latest R-wave can be continuously played back, for example, the number An event that occurs only once in a heartbeat can be reliably captured, and the diagnostic capability of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a biological wave of a subject and an R-wave trigger signal created based on the biological wave, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of loop reproduction of image data in the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 1 ... Probe 2 ... Doppler detector 3 ... Color calculator 4 ... Reflection echo detector 5 ... Color DSC 6
... display unit, 7 ... biological wave detection unit, 8 ... central processing unit,
9: subject, 10a to 10n, 11a to 11n, 12a to 12n: frame memory, 22: R-wave storage unit, Rt: R-wave trigger signal.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A Doppler detector for detecting a Doppler signal from blood flow information in a subject by scanning of a probe, and a color Doppler amount of various blood flow parameters based on the Doppler signal from the Doppler detector. A color calculation unit for calculating, a reflection echo detection unit for detecting a reflection echo signal from the reception signal of the probe, a black-and-white tomographic image data obtained by digitizing the reflection echo signal from the reflection echo detection unit, and the color calculation A color digital scan converter that mixes the data of the blood flow data from the section and converts the data into a color digital signal, and sequentially writes image data for one continuous scan to a plurality of frame memories; and image data read from the frame memory. A biological wave detector that detects the biological wave of the subject to generate an R-wave trigger signal; And a central processing unit that controls writing and reading to and from a memory, wherein a plurality of R-wave trigger signals from the biological wave detection unit are time-sequentially output to the output side of the biological wave detection unit. An R-wave storage unit for storing and reading out this R-wave trigger signal and sending it to the central processing unit is provided. When the image data is continuously reproduced from the plurality of frame memories, the frame corresponding to the oldest R-wave is most frequently used. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein a loop reproduction is performed between a frame corresponding to a new R wave.