JP3182463B2 - 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 a tomographic image of an object and a velocity of a moving fluid in the object by receiving an ultrasonic pulse beam transmitted into the object and reflected from the object. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic pulse beam is transmitted into a human body,
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses that receive ultrasonic waves that are reflected back from tissues in the human body and obtain tomographic images of internal organs and the like of the human body have been conventionally used, and as one mode of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
Alternatively, as an option of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying a B mode (tomographic image), an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of obtaining velocity information of a moving fluid flowing in the body, for example, blood is used.

[0003] In order to measure the velocity of a moving fluid in a subject, for example, blood flowing in a heart or blood vessels, a pulse Doppler method mainly using the Doppler effect is used. This measures the velocity of the moving fluid based on the Doppler frequency shift of the received signal from the moving fluid to be observed.
In order to qualitatively observe a two-dimensional flow of a moving fluid, for example, a blood flow, a color Doppler method is widely used as a known technique, and when a blood flow velocity at an arbitrary observation point is quantitatively measured, Uses the point Doppler method.

FIG. 18 is a basic configuration diagram of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of measuring the velocity of a moving fluid by the point Doppler method. The conventional point Doppler method will be described with reference to FIG. The electric pulse output from the transmission circuit 1 is converted into an ultrasonic pulse by the ultrasonic probe 2 and transmitted into the subject. A received signal from the inside of the subject is received by the ultrasonic probe 2 and amplified to an appropriate level by the receiving circuit 3, and thereafter, a tomographic image configuration and a velocity analysis of the subject are respectively performed.

In the tomographic image forming unit 4, an envelope detection circuit 41
Accordingly, the received signal output from the receiving circuit 3 is subjected to envelope detection, converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 42, stored in the frame memory 43 as tomographic image data, and then sent to the display circuit 6, A tomographic image 10 as schematically shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on a display screen (not shown). This image is usually called a B-mode image.

On the other hand, when performing, for example, blood velocity analysis by the point Doppler method, observation points are set while observing a B-mode image. When a desired observation point is designated by the operator, the transmission / reception control circuit 8 is controlled by the observation point setting circuit 7, and transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves focused on the desired observation point is performed. The display circuit 6 is controlled by the observation point setting circuit 7, and a predetermined Doppler marker is displayed at an observation point set to be superimposed on the B-mode image on a display screen (not shown).

[0007] The received signal output from the receiving circuit 3 is input to a speed analyzing unit 5, and the received signal obtained from the subject is input to a quadrature detecting circuit 51 for quadrature detection. , A signal including a Doppler signal component is extracted, and a signal including a Doppler signal component from a desired observation point is extracted by the sample and hold circuit 52 whose timing is controlled by the observation point setting circuit 7. Next, only the Doppler signal component is extracted using the band-pass filter 53, and the velocity analysis circuit 54 analyzes the velocity of the observation point. The speed information obtained by the speed analysis is displayed on the display circuit 6.
And displayed on the screen together with the B-mode image. Hereinafter, a mode in which both the B-mode image and the speed information are displayed is referred to as a B / D mode. FIG. 19 is a display example in a conventional B / D mode.

A Doppler marker indicating a blood flow observation point superimposed on a B-mode image and a Doppler beam mark indicating an ultrasonic beam extending to the blood flow observation point are displayed, and the blood at the blood flow observation point is also displayed. The time change of the flow velocity is displayed as a blood flow pattern image.

[0009]

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a stenosis site of a blood vessel. In the above-described conventional apparatus, for example, even when there is a stenosis as shown in FIG. 20 in the middle of one blood vessel, for example, first, the observation point a is designated and the blood flow pattern at that point is obtained. Display, observe, and then observe point b
, The blood flow pattern at that point is obtained and displayed and observed, and then the observation point c is specified and the blood flow pattern at that point is obtained and displayed and observed. The velocity and the blood flow velocity in the non-stenotic part were obtained separately and observed separately.

Although a renal artery stenosis or the like takes a form as shown in FIG. 20 as a clinically specific object, the blood flow velocity at only one point in such a region of interest must be measured in order. It was difficult to know the blood flow dynamics at a plurality of locations at the same time, and the diagnosis was troublesome. Therefore, with the conventional blood flow velocity analysis method using only one point, blood flow information at a plurality of observation points cannot be obtained quantitatively at the same time, and the fact that the flow velocity differs depending on the location of a blood vessel such as stenosis is used as a diagnostic guide. In such a case, a problem has occurred. on the other hand,
When diagnosing a plurality of sites simultaneously, that is, when observing two-dimensional blood flow dynamics, a color Doppler, which is a known technique, may be used. It is not suitable for quantitative evaluation of flow velocity.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of simultaneously and quantitatively obtaining velocity information at a plurality of locations.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for achieving the above object by receiving an ultrasonic pulse beam transmitted into a subject and reflected by the subject. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of a subject and velocity information of a moving fluid in a subject, (1)
First position setting means for setting a first observation point among a plurality of observation points for obtaining velocity information; and (2) determining the length and direction of a line segment passing through the first observation point at which the position is set. Setting, by the setting, second position setting means for determining other observation points of the plurality of observation points excluding the first observation point; (3) first position setting means; Setting display means for displaying a process of setting a plurality of observation points by the second position setting means; and (4) transmission and reception control means for sequentially transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic pulse beam in a predetermined order toward each of the plurality of observation points; (5) A calculation means for obtaining speed information for each of the plurality of observation points, and (6) a display control means for simultaneously displaying the speed information at the plurality of observation points obtained by the calculation means for the plurality of observation points. Is characterized by .

Here, the arithmetic means corrects velocity information in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at the plurality of observation points based on the angle between the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam and the direction of the line segment. It is preferable that a correction means is provided for obtaining velocity information in the direction of the line segment at the plurality of observation points. Instead of both the first position setting means and the second position setting means, an arbitrary observation point position setting means for setting the positions of a plurality of observation points for each observation point on the tomographic image, and the position is set. Curve approximation means for obtaining an approximate curve connecting a plurality of observation points, and angle calculation means for calculating the angle between the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at each of the plurality of observation points and the tangent direction of the curve, and The calculating means corrects the velocity information in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at the plurality of observation points based on the angle between the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam and the tangential direction, so that the It is also preferable to provide a configuration including a correction unit that obtains speed information in the tangential direction.

[0014] Further, with regard to the display control means, at least one of an average speed, a maximum speed, and a minimum speed carried by the speed information at the plurality of observation points is simultaneously displayed for the plurality of observation points. It is preferable that the display device includes a display unit and a display color setting unit that sets a display color so that the average speed, the maximum speed, and the minimum speed are displayed in different colors.

In the transmission / reception control means, the transmission / reception control means sets, for each of the plurality of observation points, a repetition frequency for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse beam toward each observation point, among a plurality of predetermined observation points. It is preferable to provide a configuration including a repetition frequency setting unit that selects and sets the frequency.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a plurality of observation points for obtaining velocity information are set on a tomographic image (the above (1) and (2)), and a plurality of observation points are directed toward each of the plurality of observation points in a predetermined order. The ultrasonic waves are sequentially transmitted and received ((4) above), velocity information is obtained for each of the plurality of observation points ((5)), and the obtained velocity information is simultaneously displayed for the plurality of observation points ((6) above). )), It is possible to simultaneously observe the moving fluid velocities at a plurality of locations. For example, even if there is a stenosis in a blood vessel as shown in FIG. It will be something that can be evaluated. In setting a plurality of observation points, the way of setting the observation points was devised ((1) and (2) above), and the process of setting them was displayed ((3) above). A plurality of observation points can be easily and reliably set at desired positions.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG.
1 is a configuration block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the conventional example described above (FIG. 18)
The same elements as those shown in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 18, and only the differences will be described. Also,
Here, the entire difference will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1, and then each difference will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.

In the observation point setting means 70, a plurality of observation points for obtaining velocity information are set on the tomographic image 10.
The transmission / reception control unit 80 controls the transmission circuit 1 and the reception circuit 3 so that the ultrasonic pulse beam is sequentially transmitted and received in a predetermined order toward each of the plurality of observation points set by the observation point setting unit 70. The calculation means 90 obtains velocity information for each of the plurality of observation points, and the display control means 100 displays the velocity information at the plurality of observation points obtained by the calculation means 90 on a display screen (not shown). The display circuit 6 is controlled so that the observation points are displayed simultaneously.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a display in this embodiment.
FIG. In this embodiment, as described later,
For example, as shown in FIG.
Three observation points a, b, and c that sandwich the stenosis site are set, and
Emits an ultrasonic pulse beam toward three points,
Blood flow velocity information, and finally, for example, as shown in FIG.
The blood flow velocities of the three observation points a, b, and c are displayed simultaneously.
It is. This makes it possible to compare blood flow velocities between specific times.
Blood flow velocity at the observation point b as shown in FIG.
V_b Are the blood flow velocities V at the observation points a and c on both sides._a , V _c of
Observation point b has stenosis because it is larger than either
It is easily diagnosed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another mode of display in this embodiment. The 3, observation points a, b, blood at the same time c flow velocity V _a, V _b, is obtained by displaying the V _c into bar graph, the diagnosis of stenosis is more by this way display It will be easier. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another display mode in this embodiment. Also in this mode, the observation points a, b, and c are displayed side by side, but here, in order to avoid complication, three observation points a, b, and c are displayed.
Only one of b and c (for example, observation point a) is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 4, each observation point a, b, c
, The maximum flow velocity, the average flow velocity, and the minimum flow velocity may be displayed. In this case, one of the maximum flow velocity, the average flow velocity, and the minimum flow velocity may be selectively displayed by the observer's selection. In addition, the maximum flow velocity, the average flow velocity, and the minimum velocity are displayed in different colors for easy viewing. Although the above three display modes have been illustrated and described here,
In the present invention, the display mode is not limited except that the speed information at the plurality of observation points is similarly displayed for the plurality of observation points, and the present invention includes, in addition to the display modes exemplified here, It goes without saying that various display modes can be adopted.

Next, in order to finally perform the display as exemplified above, characteristic components of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one mode of the observation point setting means and the display control means shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. When setting a plurality of observation points, if the blood vessels to be observed are linear, the observation points may be arranged on a straight line. Therefore, here, a configuration is adopted in which observation points can be easily arranged.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, one observation point b is added to a portion considered to be a stenosis portion, for example, by a position setting means 71 constituting the observation point setting means 70 shown in FIG.
Then, a line segment length setting unit 72 and a line segment direction setting unit 73 shown in FIG. 5 (the combination of the line segment length setting unit 72 and the line segment direction setting unit 73 are referred to as the second embodiment of the present invention).
It corresponds to position setting means. ), As shown in FIG. 6 (b), a line segment having the length L and the direction θ passing through the set observation point b is set. During the setting, the length L of the line segment is sequentially extended. The observation points a and c are set at both ends of this line segment. The state of this setting is shown in FIG. 6 by setting display means 101 constituting display control means 100.
It is dynamically displayed as shown in FIG.

The setting of these observation point positions can be easily performed by interfacing with an observation position detection / designation mechanism using a trackball or the like provided in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like. Therefore, each unit shown in FIG. 5 may be programmatically executed by using a CPU as a controller. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the correction means 92 constituting the calculation means 90 in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing three observation points a, b, c set as described above. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an ultrasonic pulse beam directed to each of these observation points a, b, and c.

In the flow velocity measurement using the pulse Doppler method, only the velocity component in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam can be measured. Therefore, when the observation points a, b, and c are set, the observation point measuring means 70 sets each of the observation points a, b, and c.
The angles θ _a , θ _b , and θ _c between the line segment connecting these observation points a, b, and c and the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam toward each observation point a, b, and _c are also calculated and corrected. The data is input to the angle correction ROM 92a constituting the means 92. The angle correction ROM 92a stores correction coefficients for the input angle information in advance, and stores the angle information θ _a , θ
_b, the correction coefficient corresponding to the theta _c is inputted is inputted to the multiplier 92b is output. Each of the observation points a, b, and
The flow velocity data in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at the point c is input and multiplied by the correction coefficient, and the flow velocity in the direction of the line connecting the observation points a, b, and c, that is, the true velocity at each of the observation points a, b, and c A value is required. This true flow velocity value is input to the display control means 100 and is displayed in a manner as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the observation point setting means 70 and correction means 92 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation. When setting an observation point at a curved portion of a blood vessel as shown in FIG. 10A, observation points a and b are set by an arbitrary observation point position setting means 74 constituting an observation point setting means 70 shown in FIG. , C are set independently of each other. Thereafter, an approximate curve passing through each of the observation points a, b, and c is obtained by the curve approximating means 75. This approximate curve can be easily obtained from the position coordinates of each observation point by using, for example, a spline function.

Next, the angle between the ultrasonic beam and the approximate curve is obtained by the angle calculating means 76.
As shown in FIG. 10B, a straight line connecting the observation point Pn on the approximate curve and its neighboring point Pn-1 on the approximate curve can be regarded as a tangent to the approximate curve at the observation point Pn. The angle between this straight line and the ultrasonic pulse beam is determined.

The angle information θ _a , θ _b , θ _c thus obtained for each observation point is input to the correction means 92,
As described above, the flow velocity data of the ultrasonic pulse beam directions at the observation points a, b, and c are corrected. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a case where two stenosis sites are seen on a tomographic image.

In the case where a plurality of stenosis sites are seen as shown in FIG. 11A, in this embodiment, as shown in an enlarged circle in FIG. 11B, each stenosis site and each stenosis site Each observation point can be set on both sides of. By configuring such that a plurality of observation point groups can be set in advance, the operability of the apparatus is improved, and a more user-friendly apparatus is configured. At the time of display, a plurality of observation point groups may be displayed simultaneously, but may be displayed for each observation point group.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the display control means. The blood flow information along the length direction of the blood vessel output from the correction circuit 92 (see FIG. 1) is input to the line drawing circuit 102 and the decoder 103 constituting the display control means. In the line drawing circuit 102, line drawing data representing blood flow information, for example, line drawing data representing a bar graph as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained based on the input blood flow information, and input to the display circuit 6. In the decoder, in order to convert the input blood flow information to character information, the input blood flow information is converted RO.
It is converted into the address information of M104. This conversion ROM
Data for expressing the blood flow velocities V _a , V _b , and V _c as specific numerical values is stored in advance in the numerical value 104, and the numerical values are output according to the address information output from the decoder 103. This numerical value is the character generation circuit 10
At 5, the data is converted into character data and input to the display circuit 6. The display circuit 6 combines the input line drawing data and character data, and displays speed data composed of line drawing and characters as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the display control means. The calculation means 90 (see FIG. 1) finds the maximum flow velocity, the minimum flow velocity, and the average flow velocity at each of the observation points a, b, and c. The maximum flow velocity, the minimum flow velocity, and the average flow velocity are calculated by the shift registers 106a, 106b, respectively. ,
106c, and the maximum flow rate
Either the minimum flow rate or the average flow rate is selected, and different display colors are set for the maximum flow rate, the minimum flow rate, and the average flow rate by the display color setting means 108, and then input to the display circuit 6. Thereby, for example, when the maximum speed is selected by the selector 107, the observation points a, b, c
Are displayed side by side for observation points a, b, and c.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the display control means, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram thereof. Here, a B-mode image displayed together with the speed information is devised. Observation point position data is input from the observation point setting means 70, and the line drawing circuit 109 draws a line drawing connecting the ultrasonic probe 2 and each observation point as shown in FIG. 15, that is, a line drawing representing an ultrasonic pulse beam. In the line drawing circuit 110, a line drawing connecting the observation points is drawn, and in the marker drawing circuit 111, a marker representing each observation point is drawn and input to the display circuit 6. This is superimposed on the B-mode image displayed together with the blood flow velocity information in the B / D mode, and FIG.
Is drawn. This makes it possible to recognize at a glance which point is currently the observation point.

FIG. 16 shows the transmission / reception control means 80 shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing one embodiment. When detecting the velocity component in the ultrasonic pulse beam direction using the pulse Doppler method, for example, in order to detect a high-speed flow in a stenotic part shown in FIG. 17A, it is better to increase the ultrasonic transmission repetition frequency. The ultrasonic transmission repetition frequency may be low in order to detect the low-speed flow in the non-constricted part.

Therefore, in this case, the ultrasonic pulse beam is applied to each of the observation points a → c → b → as shown in FIG.
b → b → a → c → b → b → b → a → c →..., whereby a high transmission repetition frequency is realized for the observation point b. In the repetition frequency setting circuit 81 shown in FIG. 16, for example, a plurality of types of ultrasonic transmission patterns as shown in FIG. 17B are stored in advance, and according to an instruction from an operator, the plurality of types of ultrasonic transmission patterns are stored. One of them is selected and the transmission / reception control circuit 82 is selected.
Is input to The transmission / reception control circuit 82 transmits an ultrasonic pulse beam to each observation point in an order based on the input ultrasonic transmission pattern.

[0035]

As described above in detail, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention sets a plurality of observation points for obtaining velocity information on a tomographic image, and directs each of the plurality of observation points to the observation points. The ultrasound is transmitted and received sequentially in a predetermined order, velocity information is obtained for each of the plurality of observation points, and the obtained velocity information is simultaneously displayed for the plurality of observation points. Can quantitatively and quickly measure the blood flow velocity in the medical instrument, and thus greatly contribute to the development of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one form of display in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another mode of display in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another display mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one mode of an observation point setting unit and a display control unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of an observation point setting unit and a display control unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a correction unit constituting the calculation unit in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating three observation points a, b, and c and an ultrasonic pulse beam directed to each of the observation points a, b, and c.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one mode of an observation point setting unit and a correction unit shown in FIG. 1;

10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the observation point setting means and the correction means shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a case where two stenosis sites are seen on a tomographic image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one mode of a display control unit.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another mode of the display control means.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing still another mode of the display control means.

15 is an explanatory diagram of the display control means shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing one mode of the transmission / reception control means shown in FIG.

17 is an explanatory diagram of the transmission / reception control means shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a basic configuration diagram of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of measuring the velocity of a moving fluid by the point Doppler method.

FIG. 19 is a display example in a conventional B / D mode.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a stenosis site of a blood vessel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 transmission circuit 2 ultrasonic probe 3 reception circuit 4 tomographic image construction unit 41 envelope detection circuit 42 A / D conversion circuit 43 frame memory 5 speed analysis unit 51 orthogonal detection circuit 52 sample hold circuit 53 band-pass filter 54 speed analysis circuit Reference Signs List 6 display circuit 7 observation point setting circuit 8 transmission and reception control circuit 10 tomographic image 70 observation point setting means 71 position setting means 72 line segment length setting means 73 line segment direction setting means 74 observation point position setting means 75 curve approximation means 76 angle calculation means Reference Signs List 80 transmission / reception control means 81 repetition frequency setting circuit 82 transmission / reception control circuit 90 calculation means 91 speed analysis circuit 92 correction means 92a angle correction ROM 92b multiplier 100 display control means 101 setting display means 102 line drawing circuit 103 decoder 104 conversion ROM 105 character generation circuit 106a, 1 6b, 106c shift register 107 a selector 108 display color setting means 109 linework circuit 110 line drawing circuit 111 marker drawing circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keiichi Murakami 1015 Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujitsu Limited (56) References JP-A-58-83942 (JP, A) JP-A-61-263442 (JP, A) JP-A-60-66732 (JP, A) JP-A-61-213041 (JP, A) JP-A-4-120709 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷⁾ A61B 8/00-8/15

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Ultrasound diagnosis for obtaining a tomographic image of the subject and velocity information of a moving fluid in the subject by receiving an ultrasonic pulse beam transmitted into the subject and reflected in the subject. In the apparatus, a first position setting means for setting a first observation point among a plurality of observation points for obtaining the velocity information on the tomographic image; By setting the length and direction of a passing line segment, a second position setting unit that determines another observation point other than the first observation point among the plurality of observation points along the line segment; Setting display means for displaying a process of setting the plurality of observation points by the first position setting means and the second position setting means; and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic pulse beams sequentially in a predetermined order toward each of the plurality of observation points. Transmission / reception control means, Calculating means for obtaining the speed information for each of the measuring points; and display control means for simultaneously displaying the speed information at the plurality of observation points obtained by the calculating means for the plurality of observation points. Ultrasound diagnostic device. 2. The arithmetic unit corrects the velocity information in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at the plurality of observation points based on an angle between the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam and the direction of the line segment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit configured to obtain the velocity information in the direction of the line segment at the plurality of observation points. 3. Arbitrary observation point position setting for setting the positions of the plurality of observation points for each observation point on the tomographic image instead of both the first position setting means and the second position setting means. Means, curve approximation means for obtaining an approximate curve connecting a plurality of observation points whose positions are set, and calculating an angle between a direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam and a tangential direction of the curve at each of the plurality of observation points. An angle calculation unit, wherein the calculation unit corrects the velocity information in the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam at the plurality of observation points based on an angle between the direction of the ultrasonic pulse beam and the tangential direction. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit configured to obtain the velocity information in the tangential direction at the plurality of observation points. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display control means is configured to control an average speed, a maximum speed, and a speed held by the speed information at the plurality of observation points.
And speed information display means for simultaneously displaying at least one of the minimum speed and the plurality of observation points, and setting a display color such that the average speed, the maximum speed, and the minimum speed are displayed in different colors. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display color setting unit that performs setting. 5. The transmission / reception control means selects and sets, for each of the plurality of observation points, a repetition frequency for transmitting the ultrasonic pulse beam toward each of the observation points from a plurality of predetermined ones. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a repetition frequency setting means for performing the operation.