JP3034747B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for irradiating an ultrasonic wave to a body tissue to obtain a tomographic image of the body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, small diameter probes equipped with ultrasonic vibrators have been developed.
Insert the probe into the endoscope, rotate the vibrator,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily performing ultrasonic diagnosis during mirror diagnosis has been developed. Further, an ultrasonic endoscope in which an endoscope and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are combined has been developed.

In such a case, it is necessary for an operator to observe a monitor for an ultrasonic image and two monitors for an endoscope image. However, because the space in the examination room is limited, it is often difficult to install two monitors. Further, in order to avoid such a problem, there has been a method in which two screens are combined and displayed on one monitor by using expensive broadcasting equipment.

There has also been a device capable of displaying a television camera image and an ultrasonic tomographic image as described in JP-A-56-76942.

[0005]

An ultrasonic tomographic image is a screen characterized by a complex pattern of black and white, for example, in a tomographic structure of the stomach. Is a screen with a uniform color tone over a wide range.

For example, these images are displayed as two images on a parent-child screen as shown in FIG. 18, or are switched and displayed as shown in FIG . Diagnosis with such images
When displaying the original image, it is necessary to adjust the image quality of the parent screen or the child screen alone when displaying the image as full as it is without changing the image quality of the original image or displaying it as a parent-child screen. Come.

However, in the prior art, it is possible to display two screens as parent-child screens, but the fine adjustment of the screen as described above is performed by using the characteristics of the parent screen / child screen (eg, an endoscope image, an ultrasonic image). ) Cannot be implemented in accordance with

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of adjusting the image quality of a parent image and / or a child image of a parent-child image with a simple configuration. And

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying a diagnostic image of a subject on a display means, comprising an intensity signal containing no color component.
A first video signal and a second video signal including a color signal and a luminance signal.
A video signal input unit video signal can be input, the first or second image input from the image signal input means
A first video signal selection unit for selecting a first display signal to be displayed as a first diagnostic image having a predetermined size on the display unit among the signals, and input from the video signal input unit; A second image for selecting a second display signal of the first or second image signal, which is displayed as a second diagnostic image reduced on the display means with respect to the first diagnostic image; and signal selection means, said second based on the selection operation of the video signal selection means, said second video signal selected first or corresponding to the value of the weighted second video signal as a display signal selection means Change for image compression
And weighting data output means for outputting the weighted data, based on said output weighting data weighting data output means, the image compressing means for compressing the second display signal selected by the second video signal selecting means If, on the basis of the first display signal and the image said second display signal <br/> No. compressed by the compression means selected by said first signal selection means, on the same screen of the display unit Video signal generating means for generating a composite video signal for simultaneously displaying the first diagnostic image and the second diagnostic image. Further, a second invention of the present application is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave into a body and displays a tomographic image of the body on a display unit as an ultrasonic image .
A first video signal composed of a luminance signal containing no color component;
A video signal input unit capable of inputting a second video signal composed of a color signal and a luminance signal, and a predetermined one of the first or second video signals input from the video signal input unit on the display unit; a first video signal selection means for selecting a first display signal to be displayed as the first diagnostic image having a size, wherein the input from the nesting signal input means first
Or a second video signal selecting means for selecting, from the second video signals, a second display signal displayed on the display means as a second diagnostic image reduced from the first diagnostic image. If, based on the selection operation of the second video signal selection means, weighted in response to the selected first or second video signal as a display signal in the second video signal selection means
Weighting data output means for outputting weighting data for image compression for changing the weighting value, and the second video signal selection means selected by the second video signal selection means based on the weighting data output by the weighting data output means. Image compression means for compressing the second display signal, first image quality adjustment instruction means capable of inputting an image quality adjustment instruction based on the signal level of the first display signal to the first diagnostic image, A second image quality adjustment instruction unit capable of inputting an image quality adjustment instruction based on a signal level of the second display signal with respect to the second diagnostic image, and an adjustment instruction of the first image quality adjustment instruction unit. with adjusting the signal level of the first display signal according to the image quality adjusting means for adjusting the signal level of the second display signal according to the adjustment instruction of the second image quality adjustment instruction means, said first of First selected by the image signal selecting means
A display signal and the second signal compressed by the image compression means;
Video signal generating means for generating a composite video signal for simultaneously displaying the first diagnostic image and the second diagnostic image on the same screen of the display means based on the display signal of I do.

[0010]

1 to 17 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing device of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the luminance / contrast adjustment circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining image switching by the signal processing device of FIG. 7, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 in which the setting can be changed depending on whether the image set on the child screen is an endoscopic image or an ultrasonic image, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a second modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 in which the color of an endoscope image inserted into a small screen can be adjusted. FIG. 9 enables edge enhancement processing of a video signal of a small screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification of the signal processing device of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a chroma removal filter provided in a modification of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating removal of a chroma signal according to a fourth modification of FIG. 10, and FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a jitter prevention circuit provided in a fifth modification of the signal processing device of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sub-screen signal compression circuit provided in a sixth modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 which enables image quality adjustment at the time of digital compression of a sub-screen, and FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the vertical filter in FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the generation of RGB signals from an ultrasonic image signal that is a black and white composite image signal. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a seventh modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 17 is a signal SELE for switching a display screen by a signal displayed on a monitor.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an eighth modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 that generates CT.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 comprises:
An ultrasonic probe 20 that captures an ultrasonic image, a signal processing device 1a that performs signal processing on a video signal of an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic probe 20, and an ultrasonic image that has been signal processed by the signal processing device 1a are displayed. A monitor 5 is provided.

The signal processing device 1a is connected to a keyboard 2 for switching its function in accordance with an operator's input.
A keyboard 2 has a key switch 3 for inputting a patient's name and ID number, a freeze switch 4 for switching a displayed image from a moving image to a still image and controlling a freeze operation of an image, and the keyboard 2 has an ultrasonic diagnosis. equipment 1 smell
A video changeover switch 6 for switching the display image of the monitor 5 displaying an movies image Te, and LED7 to display the type of image that is currently displayed child screen display ON / OFF switch 8 to carry out ON / OFF of the child screen insert And ON / OFF
ON / OFF display LED 9 for displaying an image, a child screen selection switch 10 for selecting an image to be used as a child screen, and a child screen display LED 1 for displaying the type of the displayed child screen.
1. Gain adjustment knob 12 for adjusting the brightness of an ultrasonic image
When a contrast adjustment knob 13 for adjusting the contrast of the ultrasound image, not the STC adjustment knob 14 for adjusting the brightness of the ultrasound image in accordance with the depth of the diagnosis is provided
You. The keyboard 2 has a hidden panel 1 on its front.
5 inside, a main screen brightness adjustment knob 16,
A main screen contrast adjustment knob 17, a small screen brightness adjustment knob 18, and a small screen contrast adjustment knob 19 are arranged.

Further, a scope connector 21 to which the ultrasonic probe 20 is connected is disposed on the front surface of the signal processing apparatus 1a, and supplies power to the ultrasonic probe 20 and transmits / receives an ultrasonic echo signal.

Further, an external video input terminal 22 is arranged on the back of the signal processing device 1a. An external video input terminal 22 is connected to a video endoscope 23 and supplies an endoscope video image (RGB signal) to an image processor 24.
An external camera 27 is attached to the eyepiece 25 of the fiber endoscope 26.
Are connected to each other, and an output processor 30 for supplying an endoscope image (composite video signal NTSC signal) and a VTR 29 for reproducing a recorded endoscope image and an ultrasonic image . Such a signal processing device 1a includes an image processing device for parent-child display of an external signal input from the outside and an ultrasonic tomogram generated inside the device.

The signal processing device 1a switches and controls various external input signals, generates an insertion sub-screen signal by compressing an image signal, and adjusts the image quality of the main screen and the sub-screen.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the signal processing device 1a includes a B-mode image processing circuit 31 for imaging an ultrasonic echo signal. The B-mode image processing circuit 31 includes a detection circuit 31a, a LOG AMP 31b,
A / D converter 31c, VRAM 31d for storing digitally converted pixel data, writing / reading of data stored in the memory is controlled, and pixel data is displayed on the screen in accordance with the transducer scanning method (radial scan, linear scan). An address generation circuit 31e for generating an address of the VRAM 31d necessary for rearranging the data, a D / A converter 31f for converting the read output data of the VRAM 31d into an analog signal to generate a composite synchronization signal, and transmitting the signal to the monitor 5 It is composed of a video buffer amplifier 31g for matching with a cable, and generates a luminance signal of an ultrasonic image. The gain of the detection circuit 31a and the DC offset voltage are varied by using the gain adjustment knob 12, the contrast adjustment knob 13, and the STC adjustment knob 14 provided on the keyboard 2, and the amplification of the LOGAMP 31b, D
The configuration is such that the C offset voltage can be varied.

On the other hand, a signal from an external video input terminal 22 provided on the back of the signal processing device 1a is connected to a monitor display switching circuit 32. The RGB signal, composite video signal, and non-standard signal output from the monitor display switching circuit are input to the signal conversion circuit 33.

The signal conversion circuit 33, as shown in FIG.
A known RGB decoder 33a, a Y / C separation circuit 33b,
It is composed of an LPF 33c and a BPF 33d.

The signal conversion circuit 33 separates all input external signals into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a chroma signal (C signal).

Returning to FIG. 1, these signals are input to the signal switching circuit 34, and the luminance signal (Y (O) signal), the chroma signal (C (O) signal), and the small screen signal used for the main screen signal are used. , A luminance signal (Y (K) signal) and a chroma signal (C (K) signal) are selected and output. The signal switching circuit 34 includes a high-frequency relay and a video matrix I
It is composed of a high frequency signal switching circuit such as C.

The parent screen selected by the signal switching circuit 34 and the luminance and color signals of the child screen are input to a demodulation circuit 35, and the color difference signals (Y (O) signal, R-
Y (O) signal, BY (O) signal, Y (K) signal, R-
The signal is demodulated into a Y (K) signal and a BY (K) signal. The demodulation circuit 35 is constituted by a known NTSC (or PAL) decoder.

The demodulated parent / child screen signals (Y (O) signal, RY (O) signal, BY (O) signal, Y (K) signal, RY (K) signal, B- Y (K) signal) is the luminance /
It is input to the contrast adjustment circuit 36.

The output from the luminance / contrast adjustment circuit 36, luminance, Contrast signal the child frame insertion circuit 3
7 is input.

The sub-picture insertion circuit 37 includes a sub-picture signal compression circuit 38 for compressing the picture of the sub-picture and an image switching circuit 39 for switching the parent-child picture in synchronization with the parent synchronization signal.
Consists of

The brightness / contrast adjustment circuit 36 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the offset voltage and the gain are configured by an offset circuit 36a having a variable offset voltage and a variable gain amplifier 36b.
Implemented by the FFSET GAIN signal. Then, a signal (Y (K) signal, RY
The (K) signal and the BY (K) signal) are input to the small picture signal compression circuit 38 in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, the small picture signal compression circuit 38
A / D converter 38a, dual port memory 38
b, a memory control circuit 38c for controlling writing / reading of the memory, and a D / A converter 38d for converting the read memory output data into analog.

The small picture signal (Y (K ') signal, RY (K') signal, B-signal output from the D / A converter 38d.
Y (K ') signal) is a main screen signal (Y (O) signal, R-
Y (O) signal, BY (O) signal) and the image switching circuit 39.

The image switching circuit 39 outputs a parent / child screen switching signal (O / O) output from the memory control circuit 38c.
In synchronization with the K signal, the parent and child screen signals are switched to insert the child screen into the parent screen. From the image switching circuit 39, the color difference signal (Y (O / K ′) RY) inserted into the small screen is output.
(O / K ') BY (O / K') signal)
0 (modulation circuit 40 is a known NTSC (PA
L) It consists of an encoder).

The input color difference signal is transmitted to the modulation circuit 40
Are modulated into a composite video signal, a Y signal, a C signal, and an RGB signal, and input to the video buffer amplifier 41. The output of the video buffer 41 is input to the image switching circuit 42 together with signals such as an ultrasonic image signal and an external input signal, and the image signal finally displayed on the monitor is output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1.

For control of all these circuits, the control circuit 43 determines the state of each knob and switch provided on the keyboard 2, and generates control signals for various circuits.

The operation of the thus constructed ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

An ultrasonic probe 20 is connected to the signal processing device 1a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and images ultrasonic echo signals reflected from different places in the body with different acoustic impedances.

On the other hand, the signal processing device 1a takes in signals output from the image processors 24 and 28 and the VTR 29 from an external video input terminal 22 arranged on the back.

The signal processor 1a includes a keyboard 2
Are connected to the keyboard 2, and various switches 6, 8, and 10 are provided as switches for switching and controlling the image. Under the control of these switches, the switching of the image and the insertion of the child screen are performed. . The display of the type of the displayed screen is performed by various LEDs 7, 9, and 11.

Screen displayed here, switches, LE
The operation of D will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the LED indicated by a black circle in the figure is selected as a function.

In FIG. 5A, the small screen display ON /
The OFF switch 8 is OFF. Therefore, the switch 10 for selecting the type of the sub-screen does not operate. The screen selected as the parent screen by the switch 6 is US. Therefore, an ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor 5 as shown in the right diagram of FIG.

In the notation in the figure, US: a tomographic image generated by the signal processor 1a EVIS: an image input from the image processor 24 AUX: an image input from the image processor 28 VTR: an image input from the VTR 29 In this embodiment, the US signal is a signal containing only the Y signal but not including the C signal, the AVIS signal is an RGB signal, and the A signal is an A signal.
UX signal is a composite video signal with chrominance signal, V
Although the TR signal is a composite video signal, it is a non-standard signal in which the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals are slightly jittered.

In FIG. 5B, the child screen display ON /
The OFF switch 8 is OFF. Therefore, the switch for selecting the type of the sub-screen does not operate. The screen selected as the parent screen indicates EVIS. Therefore, the endoscope image is displayed fully on the monitor 5 (in addition, even when AUX and VTR are selected as the parent images, the respective images are output completely on the screen).

In FIG. 5C, the sub-screen display ON /
The OFF switch 8 is ON. Therefore, the switch 10 for selecting the type of the sub-screen is operated and the switch can be selected. In this example, since the endoscopic image has already been selected as the parent screen, the image selectable as the child screen is any one of US, AUX, and VTR. In this example, US was selected. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the monitor outputs an endoscope image on the parent screen, and outputs an ultrasonic image on the child screen.

In FIG. 5D, the child screen display ON /
The OFF switch 8 is ON. Therefore, the switch 10 for selecting the type of the sub-screen is operated and the switch can be selected. In this example, since the ultrasonic image has already been selected as the parent screen, the image that can be selected as the child screen is any one of EVIS, AUX, and VTR.
In this example, US was selected. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the monitor outputs an ultrasonic image on the parent screen, and outputs an endoscope image on the child screen.

As described above, the control switches 6, 8, 10
By operating, the screen is switched to a desired image.

Next, the image adjustment knobs 16, 17, 18,
19 and the adjustment of the image quality of the screen will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6A, various control switches,
Since the selection is made in the state as shown in the figure, the endoscope image is output to the parent screen and the ultrasonic image is output to the child screen. Here, when the main screen brightness adjustment knob 16 and the main screen contrast adjustment knob 17 are changed, the main screen brightness and contrast are adjusted (in FIG. 6A, the brightness and contrast of the main screen are increased by the thick line of the symbol A). The contents are shown).

In FIG. 6B, when the small-screen luminance adjustment knob 18 and the small- screen contrast adjustment knob 19 are changed, the small-screen luminance and contrast are adjusted (FIG. 6).
In (b), the bold line of the symbol B indicates that the luminance and contrast of the child screen increase.

The specific display on the monitor in such a setting is as follows: (1) When an image from an external image input terminal is displayed on the monitor; it is controlled that the small screen ON / OFF switch 8 is OFF. When the signal is confirmed by the circuit 43, the MONI signal is output, and the monitor display switching circuit 32 and the image switching circuit 42 are operated to operate so that the signal from the external input terminal is directly output to the monitor.

[0046] (2) When performing the slave screen insert; sub screen ON / the OFF switch 8 that have become O N is confirmed by the control circuit 43 sub screen selection switch 1
0, and the state of the video changeover switch 6 is determined, and a SELECT signal is output.
4, the Y and C signals for the parent screen and the child screen are selected. The Y and C signals are respectively outputted by the demodulation circuit 35.
Y. The signals are converted into RY and BY signals. Sub screen Y
The (K), RY (K), and BY (K) signals are A / D converted by the A / D converter 38a, and the DY (K), DR-
The signals become Y (K) and DB-Y (K), and are stored in the dual port memory 38b.

Then, a compression operation is performed between the dual port memory 38b and the memory control circuit 38c to compress the screen by thinning out and reading out the data written in the dual port memory 38b.

The data DY (K ') of each compressed signal,
DR-Y (K ') and DB-Y (K') are again converted to analog signals by the D / A converter 38d, and the color difference signal Y is output.
(K '), RY (K'), and BY (K ') signals.

Color difference signals Y (K '), RY of the sub-screen
The (K '), BY (K') signals and the color difference signals Y (O), RY (O), BY (O) of the main screen are input to the image switching circuit 39. In order to insert a child screen at an arbitrary position in the main screen, a horizontal / vertical synchronization signal (O
The horizontal / vertical synchronizing signals (KH, KV signals) of the sub-screen are adjusted in accordance with the H, OV signals by a well-known PLL circuit provided in the memory control circuit, and the main screen, sub-screen switching signal (O / K signal) ) Is output and input to the image switching circuit 39 (horizontal / vertical synchronization signals (OH, O
(V, KH, KV signals) are separated from the video circuit by executing the Y signal output from the signal switching circuit 34 by a known synchronization separation circuit to generate OH, OV, KH, and KV signals.

A color difference signal (Y (O / K ') RY (O / K') BY (O / O)
K ′) signal) is input to the modulation circuit 40 and is modulated into various signals, and the buffer amplifier 41 and the image switching circuit 42
Is displayed on the monitor.

(3) In the case of adjusting the brightness and contrast of the parent screen and the child screen; the color difference signals Y (O) and RY generated by the demodulation circuit 35 and corresponding to the parent screen and the child screen, respectively.
(O), BY (O) signal, Y (K), RY (K),
The BY (K) signal is input to the brightness / contrast adjustment circuit 36. Image quality adjustment knobs 16 and 1 for parent and child screens
The states of 7, 18, and 19 are determined by the control circuit 43, and the luminance /
An OFFSET CONT signal for adjusting brightness and contrast is sent to the contrast adjustment circuit 36. OFFSET
The signal below changes the offset voltage applied to the offset circuit 36a, and the CONT signal changes downward to
Change the amplification of 6b.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment, the state of the image quality adjustment knob is determined by the control circuit, and the image quality of the main screen and the child screen can be adjusted independently.

In the above embodiment, the parent screen and the child screen can be set independently, and there is no distinction between the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image of the child screen. The configuration can be changed between a case where the image to be performed is an endoscope image and a case where the image is an ultrasonic image.

That is, in the embodiment, the adjustment contents of the sub-screen are the same for the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image. However, as a first modification, as shown in FIG. , by having a endoscopic Kagamizoko screen brightness adjustment knob 44, the endoscopic Kagamizoko screen contrast adjustment knob 45, ultrasound Zoko screen brightness adjustment knob 46, ultrasound Zoko screen contrast adjustment knob 47, the control circuit 43 Then, the state of the sub-screen selection switch 10 is determined, and whether the video output to the sub-screen is an endoscope image or an ultrasonic image is determined. By detecting the state of the small-screen contrast adjustment knob 47 and varying the offset voltage for variable-screen adjustment of the luminance contrast adjustment circuit 36 and the value of the variable gain amplifier, the image set on the small-screen is adjusted. And if it is the endoscope image, the settings in the case of the ultrasound images can be variably.

In the above embodiment and the first modification,
Since the area where the endoscope image is displayed when the endoscope image is inserted into the small screen is small, the color perceived by the observer may be different from that when the monitor screen is fully displayed. Therefore, as a second modified example of the above embodiment, in order to make it possible to adjust the color of the endoscope image inserted into the child screen,
As shown in FIG. 8, a red adjustment knob 48 and a blue adjustment knob 49 can be provided in the cover panel 15 of the keyboard 2.

By providing such adjustment knobs, in the second modification, the control circuit 43 determines that the child screen is an endoscope image, and sets the red adjustment knob 48 and the blue adjustment knob 4.
9 is determined, and the child screen color difference signals (Y (K), RY
(K), BY- (K) signal) and the variable gain value are independently adjusted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first and second modifications, the endoscope image and the ultrasonic image inserted as the child images can be adjusted by the luminance / contrast adjusting circuit 36, but are displayed. Due to the small area, the image projected inside tends to be an image with unclear boundaries. Therefore, according to the following third modified example, the boundary of the image of the small screen can be clearly displayed.

That is, in the third modification, the luminance / contrast circuit 36 performs a known edge enhancement process. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the edge enhancement switch 5 is provided in the cover panel 15 of the keyboard 2.
0 is provided. A well-known edge enhancement circuit (not shown) is provided in the luminance / contrast circuit 36. By doing this, the video signal of the inset screen is edge-enhanced,
It is possible to enhance the contour of the object displayed on the small screen image.

In the above-described embodiment and the first to third modifications, when the parent screen is an ultrasonic image and the child screen is an endoscope image, a color burst signal is included in the composite video signal of the parent screen. Since the image is superimposed, the color may be slightly reflected on the ultrasonic image which should be black and white. Therefore, when an ultrasonic image is selected as the parent screen in the following fourth modification, it is possible to prevent color from bleeding into the ultrasonic image.

That is, in the fourth modified example, as shown in FIG. 10, a chroma signal removing filter 51 is provided at the subsequent stage of the image switching circuit 42, and as shown in FIG. A control switch 52 is provided. Chroma signal removing filter 51, for example can be constituted by a known B P F51a and video switch 51b.

In the fourth modified example, when the child screen display ON / OFF switch is ON, the ultrasonic image is selected as the main screen, and the chroma signal removal control switch 52 is set to the operating state. CHROMACUT signals to implement the operation of the chroma removal filter 51 from the control circuit 43 is a video switch is input is conductive to the output side of the B P F51a. Therefore, the chroma signal is completely removed from the composite video signal from the image switching circuit 42, and the displayed image becomes a complete monochrome image. A known APC circuit (Auto-m) of NTSC (PAL) used for the demodulation circuit 35 by the operation of the chroma signal removal control switch 52.
Atic Phase Control circuit) and the demodulation of the color difference signals of the parent and the child are stopped to obtain the same result.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and the first to fourth modified examples, when a VTR signal which is a non-standard signal is used as a signal for parent-child display, a signal transmitted from a VTR device is a horizontal synchronization signal. Image jitters when viewing the child screen or parent screen as a still image.
That possibility is, but the fifth modification so below, VTR
Display of parent-child screen where jitter does not occur even when inputting images
It is possible to allow.

That is, in the fifth modified example, the VTR signal is not directly input to the signal conversion circuit 33, but is input to the signal conversion circuit 3 via the jitter prevention circuit 53 shown in FIG.
3 is input. The jitter prevention circuit 53 includes an A / D converter 53a, a synchronization separation circuit 53b, a line memory 53
c, TV synchronization signal generation circuit 53d, memory control circuit 5
3e and a D / A converter 53f.

The horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and the vertical synchronizing signal (VD) are separated from the VTR signal by a sync separation circuit 53b.
For example, 4fsc (14.3) whose phase is locked to this synchronization signal
The A / D converter converts the VTR signal into digital data with a clock of 2 MHz).

On the other hand, HD, V from the sync separation circuit 53b
D, the write control signal (W
E signal) from the memory control circuit 53e to the line memory 53
c.

On the other hand, the HD output at regular timing
The S and VDS signals are output from the television synchronizing signal generation circuit 53d, input to the memory control circuit 53e, and a read control (RE signal) for the line memory 53c is generated to read data from the line memory 53c. This data is analog-converted by the D / A converter 53f, and becomes a VTR signal with stable horizontal synchronization. This stable VT
Since the R signal is input to the signal conversion circuit 33, a small-screen image having no jitter in the horizontal direction can be obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, the color difference signal before being input to the child screen is adjusted to
Although the example in which the main screen and the sub-screen are adjusted has been described, the position of the adjustment is not limited to the stage before the sub-screen is compressed, and the image signals Y (K ′) and RY (K '), BY
(K ') may be adjusted.

In the above-described embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, an analog signal is adjusted to obtain an appropriate image on a small screen. However, as in the sixth modified example described below, Digital processing at the time of performing compression processing according to the type of screen to be inserted into the small screen may be changed according to the screen. In other words, image glare, uneven density, and vertical stripes that occur during the process of digitally compressing the child screen can be suppressed by changing the digital compression process according to the type of the child screen.

That is, in the small picture signal compression circuit 38 of the sixth modification, the A / D converter 38a, the dual port memory 38b, the memory control circuit 38c, and the D / A converter 38d in the above embodiment of FIG. Are sent from the memory control circuit 38c to the dual port memory 38b to compress the screen.
As shown in FIG. 13, a new vertical filter 54 can be provided between the A / D converter 38a and the dual port memory 38b. The vertical filter 54 has weighting data h1, h2, h from the memory control circuit 38c.
3 is input.

On the other hand, a control circuit 43 is connected to the memory control circuit 38c. In response to the state of the small screen display ON / OFF switch 8 and the small screen selection switch, the weighting data h1 output from the memory control circuit is received. The hEN signal required to change the values of .about.h3 is output. Therefore, the vertical direction can be compressed by accumulating data in the memory by thinning out the scanning lines and continuously reading out the data (in the above-described embodiment of FIG. Has been posted).

By the way, if the thinning process is simply performed as described above, the screen becomes glaring and becomes difficult to see. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the number of scanning lines of NTSC is 525, so that sampling in the vertical direction is 525.
It is. Therefore, the reproducible range is 525/2 (FIG. 14A). When the sampling data of the original image is thinned to, for example, 1/3, as shown in FIG.
The high-frequency side is turned back to the low-frequency side around 5/6 and becomes noise. The result is a glaring image. In order to prevent this problem, a vertical filter 54 is inserted (FIG. 14).
Band limitation is performed as shown in (c)).

As shown in FIG. 15, the vertical filter 54 performs a product-sum operation on the weighting data (h1, h2, h3) on the data (D1, D2, D3) of the three scanning lines to compress the data and limit the band. It is carried out.

The weighting data is provided in the memory control circuit 38c in accordance with the type of child screen to be displayed, and the control device 43 determines the state of the child screen ON / OFF switch and the child screen selection switch to determine the hEN signal. Is generated according to the type of screen to be inserted as a child screen.
In step 4, the value of the weighting data for the product-sum operation is changed.

The change status of the weighting data will be described assuming a child screen to be actually displayed.

(1) When the child screen is an endoscope image: color difference signals (Y (K), BY) to be inserted as child screens
(K) and BY (K) signals) are A / D converters 38a.
Digital data (DY (K), DR-Y (K), DB
-Y (K) signal). The digitized data is calculated with the weighted data by the product-sum operation circuit shown in FIG. The calculation formula of the product-sum operation is the following formula (1).

[Compressed one scan line data] = (h1 × D1 + h2 × D2 + h3 × D3) / 4 (1) where D1: first scan line data D2: second scan line data D3: third scan line data h1: a coefficient for weighting the first scan line data h2: a coefficient for weighting the second scan line data h3: a coefficient for weighting the third scan line data

If the child screen is an endoscope image, h1 =
1, h2 = 2, h3 = 1. The memory control circuit 43 stores various weighting data, and receives the contents of the hEN signal sent from the control circuit 43 and sends the values of the various weighting data to the vertical filter 54. If a weighting coefficient is selected for such a value, the coefficient of the data is an integer and no rounding error occurs.

Data hDY (K '), hDY (K'), hDY (K ') corresponding to the weighted color difference signals
Is written to the memory 38b and read continuously,
The color difference signal (h) weighted by the D / A converter 38d
DY (K '), hD-Y (K'), and hD-Y (K ') signals are displayed on the small screen by the same circuit as in the first embodiment.

Since the coefficient of the weighting data is an integer,
Since data in which rounding error does not occur can be used for the color difference signal, there is no irregular change in data caused by rounding error, and as a result, an image having a uniform color tone (for example, an image obtained by observing the stomach wall with an endoscope) Observation does not show vertical stripes.

(2) When the child screen is an ultrasonic image: h1 = 1.25, h2 = 1.5, h3 = 1.25 are set. By setting such values, when compressing the scanning lines, the density difference between the scanning lines can be made smaller than that in the case of the endoscope image . When this data is finally converted into a video signal and an image is output, the horizontal density difference can be reduced as compared with the case of an endoscope image . This is advantageous when diagnosing an ultrasound image, for example, when observing the layer structure of the stomach wall, and outputting an image in which the density difference is very important.

In the above embodiment and the first to sixth modifications, the video signal displayed on the monitor 5 is switched by the monitor display switching circuit 42. Video signal is RGB
There are various types of signals, composite video signals, and Y / C signals. In order to display this image on a monitor, it is necessary to switch the monitor. However, it is very complicated to change the monitor settings during the actual endoscope diagnosis. Therefore, as in the seventh modification shown in FIG. 16, for example, when an ultrasonic image signal which is a black and white composite image signal is displayed on a monitor, 3
An RGB signal may be generated using two video buffer amplifiers 55 (for example, configured by a known emitter follower circuit) and input to the image switching circuit 42. Further, the composite video signal and the Y / C signal are converted into R signals by a known RGB encoder.
A GB signal 14 is generated. Then all signals are RG
The signal becomes a B signal, and the display screen of the monitor 5 can be switched only by switching of the image switching circuit 42 without switching the monitor.

In addition, the control circuit 43 may generate a signal SELECT for switching the display screen of the monitor 5 as shown in FIG. 17 according to the signal displayed on the monitor 5.

Further, as the screen to be inserted as a sub-screen, the position of the horizontal synchronization signal of the signal input as the sub-screen may be selected.

According to the above-described embodiment and each of the modifications, when the screen is switched when the screen of the endoscope image or the ultrasonic image is switched or the parent-child screen is displayed in which the screen is inserted into the screen. If the image is faithfully reproduced and the parent-child screen is displayed without changing the quality of the screen, the signal adjustment of each parent and child is automatically or automatically performed according to the type of image used as the parent and child screen. Therefore, even if switching between the endoscope and the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed by switching the screen or inserting the small screen, the operator can always obtain the optimum image quality.

[0085]

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the image quality adjustment means adjusts the image quality of at least one of the parent video signal and the video signal to be reduced.
With a simple configuration, the image quality of the parent image and / or the child image of the parent-child image can be adjusted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing device of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the signal processing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a brightness / contrast adjustment circuit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating image switching by the signal processing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining insertion of a sub-screen and adjustment of luminance and contrast of the main screen and the sub-screen by the signal processing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 in which the setting can be changed depending on whether the image set on the child screen is an endoscopic image or an ultrasonic image.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 in which the color of an endoscopic image inserted into a child screen can be adjusted.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 that enables edge enhancement processing of a video signal of a small screen.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a chroma removal filter provided in a fourth modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 capable of removing a chroma signal.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating removal of a chroma signal according to a fourth modification of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram that enables prevention of jitter of a VTR signal.
Diagram showing a configuration of a jitter prevention circuit provided in a fifth modification of the signal processing device of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a sub-screen signal compression circuit provided in a sixth modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 which enables image quality adjustment during digital compression of a sub-screen;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a thinning process performed by the small-screen signal compression circuit in FIG. 13;

15 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the vertical filter of FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a seventh modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 that enables generation of RGB signals from an ultrasonic image signal that is a black and white composite image signal.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an eighth modification of the signal processing device of FIG. 1 that generates a signal SELECT for switching a display screen according to a signal displayed on a monitor.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of display of a parent-child image by a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating screen switching by a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1a ... Signal processing apparatus 2 ... Keyboard 5 ... Monitor 6 ... Video changeover switch 10 ... Sub-screen selection switch 12 ... Gain adjustment knob 13 ... Contrast adjustment knob 14 ... STC adjustment knob 15 ... Hidden panel 16 ... Parent Screen brightness adjustment knob 17 ... Main screen contrast adjustment knob 18 ... Sub screen brightness adjustment knob 19 ... Sub screen contrast adjustment knob 20 ... Ultrasonic probe 13 ... Video endoscope 24 ... Image processor 31 ... B mode image processing circuit 32 ... Monitor Display switching circuit 33 ... Signal conversion circuit 34 ... Signal switching circuit 35 ... Demodulation circuit 36 ... Luminance / contrast adjustment circuit 37 ... Sub-screen insertion circuit 38 ... Sub-screen signal compression circuit 39 ... Image switching circuit 40 ... Modulation circuit 41 ... Video buffer 42: Image switching circuit 43: Control Circuit

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An ultra- computer for displaying a diagnostic image of a subject on a display means.
A first video signal including a luminance signal that does not include a color component;
Video signal input means capable of inputting a second video signal consisting of a color signal and a luminance signal; and the first or second video signal input means being input from the video signal input means .
A first video signal selecting unit that selects a first display signal displayed as a first diagnostic image having a predetermined size on the display unit among the two video signals; Said first or second input
A second video signal selecting unit that selects a second display signal displayed as a second diagnostic image reduced from the first diagnostic image on the display unit , among the two video signals; based on said selecting operation of the second video signal selection means, it is selected as the display signal in the second video signal selection means and said
The first or variable values of the weighting corresponding to the second video signal
Weighting data output means for outputting weighting data for further image compression, and the second display signal selected by the second video signal selection means based on the weighting data output by the weighting data output means Image compression means for compressing the image data, and a first display signal selected by the first video signal selection means and the second display signal compressed by the image compression means. based ultrasound diagnostic, characterized in that it comprises a video signal generating means for generating the first diagnostic image and the composed video signal for displaying the second diagnostic image at the same time on the same screen, the said display means apparatus. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave in a body and displaying a tomographic image of the body on a display means as an ultrasonic image, comprising: a luminance signal containing no color component representing the ultrasonic image.
A first video signal, and a second video signal comprising a chrominance signal and a luminance signal.
Video signal input means capable of inputting the first video signal; and the first or second video signal input means input from the video signal input means .
A first video signal selecting unit that selects a first display signal displayed as a first diagnostic image having a predetermined size on the display unit , among the two video signals; Said first or second input
A second video signal selecting unit that selects a second display signal displayed as a second diagnostic image reduced from the first diagnostic image on the display unit , among the two video signals; based on said selecting operation of the second video signal selection means, it is selected as the display signal in the second video signal selection means and said
The first or variable values of the weighting corresponding to the second video signal
Weighting data output means for outputting weighting data for further image compression, and the second display signal selected by the second video signal selection means based on the weighting data output by the weighting data output means Image compression means for compressing the first diagnostic image; first image quality adjustment instruction means capable of inputting an image quality adjustment instruction based on the signal level of the first display signal to the first diagnostic image; A second image quality adjustment instruction unit capable of inputting an image quality adjustment instruction based on the signal level of the second display signal with respect to the diagnostic image; and the second image quality adjustment instruction unit according to the first image quality adjustment instruction unit. with adjusting the signal level of the first display signal, said second table in accordance with the adjustment instruction of the second image quality adjustment instruction means
And image quality adjusting means for adjusting the signal level of the shown signal, the first of the first display signal <br/> No. and said been the second display compressed by the image compression means selected by the video signal selection means < image signal generating means for generating a composite image signal for simultaneously displaying the first diagnostic image and the second diagnostic image on the same screen of the display means based on the signal. Ultrasound diagnostic device.