JP4493316B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that irradiates a living body with ultrasonic waves, receives the reflected waves, and obtains an ultrasonic image, and an image processing program for processing the display state of the ultrasonic image.

  A method for locating and diagnosing a lesion by irradiating a living body with ultrasonic waves and extracting a state inside the body from the reflected wave is widely used. Among them, the ultrasonic endoscope type ultrasonic diagnostic device that inserts an ultrasonic probe into the body and emits ultrasonic waves inside the body does not attenuate the ultrasonic wave compared to the external type that emits ultrasonic waves from outside the body, High-frequency ultrasonic waves with high resolution can be used.

  Such an ultrasonic endoscope type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is usually provided with an ultrasonic transducer at the tip of an ultrasonic probe, and mechanical radial scanning for mechanically rotating the ultrasonic transducer, or The target part is scanned by performing linear scanning electronically.

  Among them, in the radial scanning method, ultrasonic waves are irradiated in the radial direction by rotating the ultrasonic transducers radially, and a plurality of continuous scans are performed by moving the probe in the insertion axis direction while performing scanning. An ultrasonic tomographic image that is a two-dimensional ultrasonic image obtained is obtained. Then, the obtained ultrasonic tomograms are cut in order at predetermined positions, the cut images are arranged in order, and a predetermined process is performed to form a continuous vertical image in accordance with the movement of the probe in almost real time (patent) Reference 1).

JP-A-7-155328

However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as shown in FIG. 17, the cut image C ₁ corresponding to the first scan is used as a reference, and the cut image C ₁ formed first according to the movement of the probe, for example, in the right direction. A vertical image 108 in which cut images after the cut image C ₂ are sequentially arranged is displayed. For this reason, if the probe is moved and scanning is continued, there is a possibility that the area around the cut image C _n where the scanning is actually performed exceeds the display area 107a of the display device and is not displayed. Therefore, there is a problem that a longitudinal image around a region where scanning is actually performed cannot be confirmed almost simultaneously with scanning. In this case, it could not be confirmed almost simultaneously with the scanning whether or not the longitudinal image around the area where the scanning is actually performed is normally formed. Furthermore, even if a lesion is actually present, there is a possibility that it cannot be detected at the same time as actual scanning, and there are cases where diagnosis cannot be performed smoothly. In particular, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a dedicated drive device is used, the scanning is linear, and the scanning range is determined. On the other hand, in recent years, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining a plurality of continuous ultrasonic tomographic images by manually extracting and scanning the probe in a body cavity while detecting the position and direction of the ultrasonic tomographic image is well known. It is. In such a scanning method, when scanning is performed, the tomographic image around the area where the operation is actually performed often protrudes from the display area of the display device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and a longitudinal image around the area where the scanning is actually performed can be confirmed almost simultaneously with the scanning. An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a probe having an ultrasonic transducer that performs ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and cutting an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that forms an image, displays the cut images sequentially, and displays the interpolated longitudinal image on the display unit according to the progress of the probe, the display unit includes a display area for displaying the longitudinal image. Further, the image processing apparatus includes display processing means for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image in which the most recently cut image is arranged at a predetermined position in the display area.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the most recent cut image is displayed at a predetermined position in the display area, thereby confirming a longitudinal image around the area that is actually scanned almost simultaneously with the scan. It becomes possible.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined position is substantially in the center of the display area.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the display processing means moves the longitudinal image in response to an instruction to move the longitudinal image.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a probe having an ultrasonic transducer that performs ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and cutting an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that forms an image, displays the cut images sequentially, and displays the interpolated longitudinal image on the display unit according to the progress of the probe, the display unit includes a display area for displaying the longitudinal image. The image processing apparatus includes display processing means for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image in which the cut image located in the center of the longitudinal image is arranged at a predetermined position in the display area.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, an image of the entire longitudinal image is displayed by displaying the cut image located at the center of the longitudinal image at a predetermined position in the display area, and the actual scanning is performed almost simultaneously with the scanning. It is possible to confirm a longitudinal image around the area.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined position is substantially in the center of the display area.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention , when the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe exceeds the width of the display area, the display processing unit calculates the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe. The reduced longitudinal image is displayed and output.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, when the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe exceeds the width of the display area, the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe is reduced to reduce the entire longitudinal image. Is displayed in the display area, and the entire longitudinal image including the periphery of the area actually scanned can be confirmed almost simultaneously with the scanning.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the display processing means thins out the cut image when the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe exceeds the width of the display region. .

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, when the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe exceeds the width of the display area, the display processing unit is configured to have a width between the cut image and a width between the cut images. The longitudinal image obtained by reducing the above is displayed and output.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the display processing means displays and outputs the longitudinal image subjected to the enlargement process when an enlargement instruction is given.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention , when there is an enlargement instruction, the display processing unit displays the longitudinal image with the reduced width of the cut image and the width between the cut images as the width before reduction. It is characterized by display output.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a probe having an ultrasonic transducer that performs ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and cutting an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for forming an image, displaying the cut images sequentially, and displaying the interpolated longitudinal image on the display means according to the progress of the probe, the display means includes the first display area and the second display. The longitudinal image in which the most recently cut image is arranged at a predetermined position in the first display area, and the cut image located in the center of the vertical image is the second display area. The image processing apparatus includes display processing means for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image disposed at a predetermined position.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention detects a position of the ultrasonic transducer based on a transmission coil provided at a predetermined distance from the ultrasonic transducer and a magnetic field oscillated from the transmission coil. And a position detecting unit, wherein the longitudinal image is formed using the position of the ultrasonic transducer detected by the position detecting unit and the ultrasonic tomographic image.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a case where the user manually pulls out the probe inside the body cavity by grasping the operation portion of the probe, and the ultrasonic scanning is a manual scanning.

An image processing program according to the present invention displays and outputs a longitudinal image using an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a probe having an ultrasonic transducer that performs ultrasonic scanning. An image processing program for forming a longitudinal image by forming a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomographic image at a predetermined position, sequentially arranging the cut images, and interpolating between the cut images And a display processing procedure for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image in which the most recently formed cut image is arranged at a predetermined position in a display area.

An image processing program according to the present invention displays and outputs a longitudinal image using an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a probe having an ultrasonic transducer that performs ultrasonic scanning. A longitudinal image forming procedure for forming a longitudinal image by forming a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomographic image at a predetermined position, sequentially arranging the cut images, and interpolating between the cut images; And a display processing procedure for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image in which the cut image located at the center of the longitudinal image is arranged at a predetermined position in the display area.

The image processing program according to the present invention determines that the width of the longitudinal image formed in the longitudinal image forming procedure with respect to the traveling direction of the probe exceeds the width of the display area with respect to the traveling direction of the probe. And a reduction procedure for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image in which the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe is reduced according to the determination result of the determination means.

The image processing program according to the present invention is characterized in that the reduction procedure thins out the cut image.

The image processing program according to the present invention is characterized in that the reduction procedure reduces the width of the cut image and the width between the cut images.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention displays a longitudinal image in which the most recently cut image is arranged at a predetermined position, for example, approximately in the center of the display region, thereby performing a longitudinal image around the region actually scanned. Can be confirmed almost simultaneously with scanning, and the diagnosis can be facilitated.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using an ultrasonic endoscope type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as an example. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment displays a longitudinal image around the area where scanning is actually performed by displaying the most recently formed cut image at a predetermined position in the display area. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a probe 2, an ultrasonic observation apparatus 3, a position data calculation unit 4, an image forming apparatus 5, an input apparatus 6, and a display. Device 7.

  The probe 2 to be guided is inserted into a body cavity, and has an insertion portion 11 made of a flexible material provided with an ultrasonic transducer 13 and a transmission coil 14 at the tip, and an operation portion 12. The ultrasonic transducer 13 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves radially in a direction perpendicular to the insertion axis of the insertion unit 11 and converts the received reflected waves into electrical echo signals. The transmission coil 14 is set at a predetermined position and orientation with respect to the probe 2 and oscillates a magnetic field in the surrounding space.

  The ultrasonic observation device 3 controls the ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 13 and temporarily stores the echo signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer 13 so that the echo signal for one rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 13, that is, 1 Image data of a tomographic image, which is a single two-dimensional ultrasonic image, is formed for the echo signal for scanning, and is output to the image forming apparatus 5.

  The reception coil 15 receives the magnetic field from the transmission coil 14 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the received magnetic field to the position data calculation unit 4. The position data calculation unit 4 excites the transmission coil 14, calculates the electrical signal input from the reception coil 15, detects the position and orientation of the ultrasonic transducer 13 in the body cavity, and then detects the detected position orientation. Data is output to the image forming apparatus 5. By configuring the transmission coil 14 and the reception coil 15 with a pair of coils, in addition to the position of the ultrasonic transducer 13, the two-dimensional ultrasonic image perpendicular to the axial direction and the axis of the insertion portion 11 of the probe 2 is used. The tomographic image orientation (orientation) is obtained.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 5 performs arithmetic processing on the tomographic image data input from the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 and the position orientation data input from the position data calculation unit 4 in accordance with the instruction input from the input apparatus 6. The display data of the ultrasonic image is output to the display device 7. The input device 6 outputs the instruction content input by the user to the image forming device 5, and the display device 7 displays the ultrasonic image output from the image forming device 5.

  Hereinafter, among the functions of the image forming apparatus 5, a function of mainly forming display data of a longitudinal image will be described. Note that the longitudinal image refers to an ultrasonic image obtained by successively arranging cut images obtained by cutting a tomographic image along a specified cutting line in accordance with the scanning direction and interpolating between the cut images. A longitudinal image is suitable for the case of making a diagnosis by observing the inside of a body cavity in real time because it does not impose a load on a circuit in the image forming apparatus 5 when it is generated. Further, the cut image is a one-column image with a width of one pixel, which is created by cutting the tomographic image with a cutting line that is a line segment passing through two points designated in advance, and a longitudinal image is constructed by connecting the cut images. .

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 5 will be described. The image forming apparatus 5 includes a control unit 21, an image processing unit 22, and a display control unit 23. The control unit 21 controls the image processing unit 22 and the display control unit 23 in accordance with an instruction from the input device 6. The image processing unit 22 has programs that define various processing procedures and the like, operates these programs, and receives tomographic image data input from the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 and input from the position data calculation unit 4. A longitudinal image is formed using the position and orientation data, and display data of the longitudinal image to be displayed on the display device 7 is output. Further, the longitudinal image display data processing is performed according to the procedure described later. Then, the display control unit 23 converts the input display data into displayable data and outputs it to the display device 7.

  Next, the image processing unit 22 that forms a longitudinal image and outputs display data of the longitudinal image will be described. The image processing unit 22 includes a longitudinal image forming unit 24, a display processing unit 25, and a memory 26. The longitudinal image forming unit 24 forms a cut image using the image data of the tomographic image and the position / orientation data, calculates the image data of the vertical image using the cut image, and outputs it to the memory 26. Further, the display processing unit 25 extracts the longitudinal image image data including the cut image data and the interpolation data from the memory 26, calculates the position in the display area of the display device 7 to place these images, and calculates The processed result is output as display data. The memory 26 stores image data of the formed longitudinal image, and also stores input data such as the input tomographic image data and position / orientation data.

  Next, the operation of the image processing unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for display data of a longitudinal image. Hereinafter, as an example, the probe 2 will be described as moving from the left to the right and displaying a longitudinal image in accordance with the movement of the probe 2. For this reason, the newest cut image is arranged at the right end of the vertical image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the image processing unit 22, the longitudinal image forming unit 24 forms image data of the longitudinal image (step S101). Next, when the formation of the longitudinal image is completed, the display processing unit 25 extracts the image data of the longitudinal image stored in the memory 26, and arranges the latest cut image in the center of the display area of the display device. The cut images are sequentially moved in the left direction and arranged so as to form display data of a vertical image to be displayed on the display device 7 (step S102). Then, it is determined whether or not the image acquisition is completed (step S103). When the image acquisition is continued (step S103: No), the process proceeds to step S101, and when the image acquisition is completed (step S103). S103: Yes), the longitudinal image display data processing ends. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of each step will be described. The term “image acquisition” as used herein refers to obtaining a tomographic image when the user manually scans the probe 2, and the term “image acquisition is completed” means that all tomographic images have been acquired.

First, the longitudinal image forming process in which the longitudinal image forming unit 24 in step S101 forms image data of a longitudinal image will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a case will be described in which a longitudinal image is formed by cutting along a cutting line l ₁ passing through P ₁ and P ₂ of the tomographic image B ₀ . Prior to the movement of the probe 2, P ₁ and P ₂ are designated in advance by the input device 6, and the cutting line C ₁ is set by setting the cutting line l ₁ to perform the setup for creating the cut image C ₀ . The cutting line l ₁ is set at a position where the observation object can be grasped well. As shown in FIG. 3B, the cutting line l ₁ is a line segment passing through the center T of the tomographic image, the rotation angle is designated from the input device 6, the cutting line l ₁ is rotated around the center T, and the cut image is displayed. C ₀ may be determined. If the rotation angle that you want to observe in the longitudinal image is known in advance, for example, if you know the position of the patient, the ultrasound scanning path in the duodenum, and the orientation of the pancreas relative to it, set the optimal rotation angle. This makes it easier to obtain useful information. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, a state in which the cut images C _{1 to} C _{n obtained} by cutting the tomographic image along the cutting line l ₁ are sequentially formed corresponding to the manual scanning will be described. When the tomographic image B ₁ for the first scan of the ultrasonic transducer 13 is input, the longitudinal image forming unit 24 cuts the tomographic image B ₁ along the cutting line l ₁ passing through P ₁ and P _2, and cuts the tomographic image B _1. forming an image C _1. Then, according to the position orientation data of the ultrasonic transducer 13 in the first scan input from the position data calculating unit 4, to form an image data calculated and position and orientation of the cutting image C _1. The formed image data of the cut image C ₁ is stored in the memory 26 together with the image data of the tomographic image B ₁ .

When the tomographic image B ₂ for the second scan is input, to form a cut image C ₂ taken along the tomographic image B ₂ to the cutting line l _1, cut according to the corresponding position orientation data image C ₂ Place. Then, interpolation is performed between the cut image C ₁ and the cut image C ₂ to form image data of a vertical image connecting the cut images. Specifically, the first point from the top of one column image section image C ₁ is made to correspond to the first point from the top of one column image section image C _2, a second point of the first column image cut image C ₁ Corresponds to the second point of the one row image of the cut image C ₂ , so that each point of the one row image of the cut image C ₁ corresponds to each point of the one row image of the cut image C ₂ without jumping in turn. . The luminance of the corresponding points to each other of the luminance of each pixel of the vertical image, one column image section image C ₁ and one column image cut image C ₂ located between the cutting image C ₁ and the cutting image C ₂ Is obtained by interpolating. Then, after the third time, a cut image is formed in the same manner as the second time, and after each cut image is arranged according to the position and orientation data, the cut images are interpolated to form image data of a vertical image. The image data of the longitudinal images sequentially formed is stored in the memory 26. A longitudinal image formed by interpolating between the cut images C _{1 to} C _n reflects the position and orientation of each tomographic image as shown in FIG. Arrangement.

Next, the processing procedure of the display processing unit 25 in step S102 will be described. In the following, in order to simplify the description, a case where the guide is linear is described. The display processing unit 25 extracts the image data of the longitudinal image corresponding to the first scan from the memory 26 after the first scan of the ultrasonic transducer 13 is completed. In this case, since the longitudinal image is the cut image C ₁ , the display processing unit 25 extracts the cut image C ₁ and cuts along the center line Fc of the display area 7a of the display device 7 as shown in FIG. The display data of the longitudinal image in which the image C ₁ is arranged is calculated and output. At this time, since the cutting image C ₁ other than the section image is not, the procedure moves to the next step. Section image C ₁ is displayed in the display area 7a in accordance with the desired size.

When a longitudinal image is displayed after the second scan, the display processing unit 25 arranges the latest cut image at the center of the display area 7a along the center line Fc of the display area 7a, and performs other cutting. The display data of the longitudinal image to be arranged on the display device 7 by sequentially moving the image to the left is calculated. For example, when the k-th scan ends, the display processing unit 25 arranges the cut image C _k that is the latest cut image along the center line Fc of the display region 7a, as illustrated in FIG. between the C _k-1 and C _k made by interpolating the cut image C ₁ ~C _k-1 from the section image C _k to the left direction and C _k-1 and C _k which it has previously been formed The display data of the longitudinal image 28b which is moved and arranged by the amount of the data located at is calculated. The display processing unit 25 performs arithmetic processing so that an image corresponding to the data interpolated by the longitudinal image forming unit 24 is displayed between the cut images. In accordance with the movement of the probe 2, as shown in FIG. 4-3, the display processing unit 25 always arranges the latest cut image along the center line Fc of the display area 7a, and the previous cut images are sequentially displayed in the display area. The display data of the longitudinal image 28c moved to the left of 7a is sequentially calculated.

A case will be described in which the number of scans increases and the left end of the displayed vertical image exceeds the left end of the display area 7a. As shown in FIG. 4-4, the display processing unit 25 arranges the latest cut image C _n along the center line Fc of the display area 7a, moves the other cut images to the left, and sets the left end of the display area 7a. The display data of the longitudinal image 28d that is not displayed is calculated for the cut image exceeding the portion. That is, the longitudinal image 28d including C _{n to} C _k-1 is displayed in the display area 7a, and the cut images C _{1 to} C _k-2 before C _k-1 are not displayed. In this way, the display processing unit 25 always arranges the latest cut image along the center line Fc of the display area, and sequentially calculates the display data of the vertical image that is arranged by moving the previous cut image sequentially to the left. . Then, when the longitudinal image exceeds the left end portion of the display area 7a, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 does not display the cut image that exceeds the left end portion of the display area 7a. Therefore, on the display area 7a, the latest cut image is always displayed at the center of the display area 7a, and the vertical image is sequentially moved to the left with the latest cut image as the center in accordance with the movement of the probe 2. Is done.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the image acquisition has ended (step S103). If the image acquisition has ended (step S103: Yes), the longitudinal image display data processing ends. If the image acquisition has not been completed (step S103: No), the process proceeds to step S101, and the image processing is repeated.

A case will be described in which the left side of the vertical image that is not displayed in the display region 7a is displayed when the left end of the vertical image exceeds the left end of the display region 7a. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the user instructs the scroll bar 7 b provided at the lower end of the display area 7 a to move to the right via the input device 6. The display processing unit 25 having received this instruction from the control unit 21 extracts the longitudinal image 28e corresponding to the instruction from the memory 26, and calculates display data corresponding to the movement instruction of the scroll bar 7b. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when displaying an arbitrary portion of the entire longitudinal image 29, the user instructs the scroll bar 7b to move to the right or left. Upon receiving this instruction, the display processing unit 25 extracts the entire longitudinal image 29 from the memory 26, and calculates display data corresponding to the movement instruction of the scroll bar 7b. As a result, on the display area 7a, a vertical image 28f corresponding to the user's movement instruction is displayed in the display area 7a.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the display processing unit 25 always arranges the most recently formed cut image along the center line Fc of the display area 7a, and the cut image formed before that is leftward. The display data of the longitudinal image sequentially moved and arranged is calculated. As a result, the cut image of the part that is actually scanned is always displayed in the center of the display area 7a, and the user can check the vertical image around the latest cut image almost simultaneously with the scan. In addition, the user can recognize whether or not a longitudinal image around the latest cut image is normally formed almost simultaneously with scanning. Furthermore, when a lesion is actually present, the possibility of being detected almost simultaneously with the scanning increases, and a smooth diagnosis can be achieved. In addition, the user can display an arbitrary portion of the longitudinal image by instructing the scroll bar 7b to move the longitudinal image, and the longitudinal image can be observed smoothly.

In the first embodiment, the display processing unit 25 has been described as performing the arithmetic processing so as to arrange the most recently formed cut image C _n along the center line of the display region 7a. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the arithmetic processing may be performed on the assumption that it is arranged along an arbitrary line Fr in the right region of the display region 7a. Even in such a case, since the most recently formed cut image C _n is displayed in the display area 7a, the vertical image 281 around the latest cut image can be confirmed almost simultaneously with scanning.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has a longitudinal image 282 in which a previous cut image is arranged in the right direction of the most recently formed cut image C _n according to the traveling direction of the probe 2. May be displayed. For example, when the traveling direction of the probe moves from the right direction to the left direction, the most recently formed cut image C _n is formed on the leftmost side. Thus, in the first embodiment, a longitudinal image is displayed corresponding to the traveling direction of the probe 2. Moreover, although the case where the probe 2 moves in the left-right direction with respect to the display area 7a has been described, when the probe 2 moves in the up-down direction with respect to the display area 7a, the display processing unit 25 displays the most recently formed cut image C _n . The display data of the longitudinal image 283 arranged along the center line Fd of the display area 7a is calculated. In this case, an instruction to move the vertical image in the vertical direction of the display area 7a is given to the scroll bar 7c, and the display processing unit 25 may perform arithmetic processing in accordance with this instruction. In FIG. 1, the transmission coil 14 is provided in the probe 2, but the positions of the reception coil 15 and the transmission coil 14 may be reversed.

  According to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, the latest cut image can be obtained even if the longitudinal image is moved due to the position and orientation of the tomographic image by hand-drawn scanning and easily protrudes from the display area. Can be observed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a longitudinal image in which the most recently formed cut image is arranged at a predetermined position in the display area 7a is displayed. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment performs the cutting in the traveling direction of the probe. The entire longitudinal image is displayed by adjusting the width between the image and the cut image.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 31 according to the second embodiment, the image processing unit 32 includes a display processing unit 35 that calculates display data for displaying the entire longitudinal image in the display region 7a.

  Next, the operation of the image processing unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for display data of a longitudinal image. Hereinafter, as an example, the probe 2 will be described as moving from the left to the right and displaying a longitudinal image in accordance with the movement of the probe 2. For this reason, the newest cut image is arranged at the right end of the vertical image.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the image processing unit 32, the longitudinal image forming unit 24 forms image data of the longitudinal image in the same procedure as the processing procedure described in the first embodiment (step S201). Next, when the formation of the longitudinal image is completed, the display processing unit 35 extracts the image data of the longitudinal image stored in the memory 26 and arranges the cut image at the center of the longitudinal image in the center of the display area of the display device 7. Calculation is performed to form display data of the entire longitudinal image displayed on the display device 7 (step S202). Then, the display processing unit 35 compares, for example, the number of display pixels to determine whether the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display data of the entire formed longitudinal image exceeds the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display area. (Step S203). When the display processing unit 35 determines that the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display data of the entire formed longitudinal image exceeds the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display area (step S203: Yes). Then, a reduction process for forming display data in which the width of the longitudinal image is reduced is performed (step S204), and the formed display data is output. Further, when the display processing unit 35 determines that the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display data of the entire formed longitudinal image does not exceed the width corresponding to the scanning direction of the display area (step S203: No), and reduction. After performing the process (step S204), it is determined whether or not the image acquisition is completed (step S205). If the image acquisition continues (step S205: No), the process proceeds to step S201, where the image acquisition is performed. If completed (step S205: Yes), the longitudinal image display data processing ends. Hereinafter, the processing procedure from step S202 to step S204 will be described.

  First, step S202 will be described. In step S202, the display processing unit 35 calculates the center cut image of the longitudinal image so as to be arranged in the center of the display area of the display device 7, and forms display data of the vertical image to be displayed on the display device 7. Indicates.

For example, when the cut image C ₁ is formed in accordance with the same procedure as in the first embodiment for the first scan of the ultrasonic transducer 13, the display processing unit 35 extracts the cut image C ₁ from the memory 26. As shown in FIG. 9A, arithmetic processing is performed so as to be arranged on the center line Fc that is the center of the display area 7a.

Next, when displaying the longitudinal image for the second scan, the display processing unit 35 sets the center of the longitudinal image 38a including the cut images C ₁ and C ₂ as the center of the display region 7a as shown in FIG. The display data of the longitudinal image arranged on the line Fc is calculated. Similarly, when displaying a vertical image for the second and subsequent scans, a vertical image display process in which the center of the vertical image is arranged on the center line Fc is calculated. For example, after the m-th scan, as shown in FIG. 9C, a vertical image 38b in which the center of the vertical image is arranged on the center line Fc is displayed in the display area 7a. As shown in FIGS. 9-1 to 9-3, in the second embodiment, the center of the longitudinal image is always displayed at the center of the display area 7a, and the longitudinal image expands left and right as the probe 2 moves. Is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9-4, for example, the width of the longitudinal image 38c with respect to the traveling direction of the probe 2 does not exceed the width of the display area 7a until the n-th scanning is completed (step S203: No). The display data of the longitudinal image formed in step S202 is output.

  Next, when the (n + 1) -th scanning is completed, the width of the longitudinal image 38c with respect to the traveling direction of the probe 2 exceeds the width of the display area 7a (step S203: Yes), so the display processing unit 35 is longitudinally cut into the display area 7a. A reduction process is performed to display the entire image (step S204).

  A thinning process will be described as an example of the reduction process. This thinning-out process is a process of thinning out the cut image extracted by the display processing unit 35. The display processing unit 35 thins out the cut image every other piece of the image data of the vertical image from, for example, the memory 26 and extracts it. The display data is calculated based on the cut image. The display data of the longitudinal image for the (n + 1) th and subsequent scans is in a state where the width of the probe 2 with respect to the traveling direction exceeds the width of the display area 7a. The display processing unit 35 extracts cut images from the memory 26 every other image, and calculates display data of the vertical image using the cut images extracted every other image.

For example, when (n + 2) scans are completed, the display processing unit 35 reads from the memory 26 every other piece of image data of the longitudinal image C ₁ , C ₃ , C _{5 to} C _n-2 , C _n and C _{n + 2} are extracted. The number of extracted cut images is {(n + 1) / 2 + 1}, where n is an odd number. Then, as shown in FIG. 10A, the display processing unit 35 uses the cut images C ₁ , C ₃ , C _{5 to} C _n−2 , C _n , and C _{n + 2} , among these cut images. The display data of the longitudinal image 47a in which the cut image located at the center is arranged on the center line Fc of the display area 7a is calculated. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the actual displayed vertical image 47a has a reduced width of the vertical image 47a in the traveling direction of the probe 2 because the number of cut images extracted from the memory 26 has decreased. In this reduction processing, the display processing unit 35 takes out cut images from the memory 26 every other one at a ratio of two, and calculates the display data of the vertical image. Therefore, the (n + 3) -th scanning is performed. After completion, the vertical image display data is not calculated, and the vertical image display data is calculated after the (n + 4) th scan. After the (n + 4) th scan is completed, the display processing unit 35 extracts the cut images C ₁ , C ₃ , C _{5 to} C _n−2 , C _n , C _{n + 2} , and C _{n + 4} from the memory 26. Then, as shown in FIG. 10-2, the display data of the longitudinal image 47b in which the cut image located in the center among these cut images is arranged on the center line Fc of the display area 7a is calculated.

  As described above, the display processing unit 35 performs a reduction process of calculating display data using cut images extracted every other sheet as the scanning progresses. In addition, when scanning progresses and the width of the longitudinal image calculated using the cut images extracted every other sheet exceeds the width of the display area 7a, for example, the ratio is 1 for every 4 sheets. Extract the cut image. And the display data of the longitudinal image by which the cut image located in the center among the extracted cut images is arranged on the center line Fc of the display area 7a is calculated.

Further, when a predetermined portion is confirmed in detail with respect to the longitudinal image subjected to the reduction process, the enlargement process can be performed. For example, a case will be described in which the user designates an arbitrary location P ₃ of the longitudinal image 47c shown in FIG. 11A and enlarges the surrounding longitudinal image without changing the position of P ₃ .

When the designation of P ₃ is input from the user by the input device 6, the display processing unit 35 performs display data of the longitudinal image in which the width of the longitudinal image is enlarged without changing the position of P ₃ according to the control of the control unit 21. Is calculated. As shown in FIG. 11A, the longitudinal image 47c before the enlargement process uses (2n / 2) cut images C ₁ , C _{3 to} C _2n-2 , C _2n extracted every other image. Is formed. When the enlargement process is instructed, the display processing unit 35 takes out the entire longitudinal image 39a obtained by scanning from the memory 26. That is, the extracting the image data of 2n Like all cut image C _{1 of, C 2, C 3, C} 4 ~C 2n-2, C 2n-1, C 2n. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the display processing unit 35 calculates display data of the longitudinal image 47d corresponding to the width of the display area 7a. In this case, the display position of the cut image including the portion P ₃ designated by the user is arranged at the same position as before the enlargement process, and display data in which another cut image is arranged based on the position of P ₃ is output. The When it is desired to display a portion other than the vertical image 47d displayed after the enlargement process, for example, a movement instruction is given to the scroll bar 7b provided at the lower end of the display area 7a, and the display processing unit 35 follows this instruction. The entire longitudinal image 39a is taken out from the memory 26, and the display data corresponding to the movement instruction of the scroll bar 7b is calculated. As a result, a vertical image corresponding to the movement instruction of the user is displayed on the display area 7a.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 31 according to the present embodiment, when the display processing unit 35 determines that the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe 2 exceeds the width of the display region 7a, the reduction process is performed. The display data that was performed is output. As a result, since the entire longitudinal image is always displayed in the display area 7a, the user can recognize the entire longitudinal image obtained so far almost simultaneously with scanning. In addition, since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 31 displays the entire longitudinal image including the most recently formed cut image in the display area 7a, the latest cut image is confirmed almost simultaneously with the scan as in the first embodiment. The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since it is possible to specify an arbitrary location and enlarge the longitudinal image around it, the longitudinal image can be observed smoothly.

  In the second embodiment, a case is described in which display data of a longitudinal image in which a cut image located at the center is arranged on the center line Fc of the display area 7a is calculated in the display data formation processing procedure. However, depending on the number of extracted cut images, calculation processing is performed so that interpolation data between cut images located at the center is arranged on the center line Fc. Similarly, when such calculation processing is performed, a longitudinal image whose center is arranged on the center line Fc of the display area 7a is displayed.

  In the second embodiment, the display processing unit 35 performs the reduction process by extracting and thinning out every other cut image from the memory 26. However, the ratio of the cut image to be extracted is not limited to this. For example, A cut image may be extracted at a rate of 1 out of every 3 sheets, or a cut image may be extracted at a rate of 2 out of every 3 sheets. Further, for example, the process of extracting the second, third, seventh, and eighth cut images from the ten cut images may be repeated for every ten cut images to perform the thinning process. In this way, it is sufficient to extract the cut images at a predetermined rate for each predetermined number of sheets and extract the cut images so as to thin out consecutive cut images. Further, the display processing unit 35 may extract the cut images from the memory 26 at random in addition to regularly extracting the cut images from the memory 26. The display processing unit 35 only needs to calculate the longitudinal image display data by reducing the number of cut images extracted to the extent that the image display is not affected. This is because even in such a case, it is possible to form continuous longitudinal image display data.

  Further, in the second embodiment, in addition to the thinning process as the reduction process, the width reduction process for reducing the width between the obtained cut image and the cut image and displaying the entire vertical image on the display area 7a is performed. Also good. The width reduction process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12-1 to 12-3.

A case where a vertical image corresponding to the (n + 1) -th scanning is displayed will be described. As shown in FIG. 12A, the width of the longitudinal image 38c corresponding to the n-th scanning with respect to the traveling direction of the probe 2 is equal to the width d of the display region 7a. Next, when the (n + 1) -th scan and the n-th scan are completed, the display processing unit 35 reads (n + 1) cut images C ₁ , C ₂ , C _{3 to} C _n-2 , C _n− from the memory 26. ₁ , C _n , and C _{n + 1} are extracted. Then, the display processing unit 35 calculates display data of the longitudinal image 48a obtained by reducing the width of the probe 2 in the traveling direction by n / (n + 1) times. That is, the display processing unit 35 detects the probe 2 between (n + 1) cut images C ₁ , C ₂ , C _{3 to} C _n-2 , C _n−1 , C _n , C _{n + 1} and each cut image. The width in the traveling direction is reduced by n / (n + 1) times. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12-2, the width d of the display area 7a and the width of the longitudinal image 48a are substantially equal to the traveling direction of the probe 2, and the entire longitudinal image can be displayed in the display area 7a. it can. Next, when the (n + 2) -th scanning is completed, the display processing unit 35 reads (n + 2) cut images C ₁ , C ₂ , C _{3 to} C _n-2 , C _n−1 , C from the memory 26. _n , C _{n + 1} , and C _{n + 2} are extracted. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, the display data of the longitudinal image 48b obtained by reducing the width of the longitudinal image with respect to the traveling direction of the probe 2 by n / (n + 2) times is calculated. As described above, when the longitudinal image is displayed after the (n + 1) th scan, the width of the cut image and the width between the cut images are reduced, and the entire vertical image is displayed in the display area 7a.

A case where the enlargement process is performed after the width reduction process is described. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, after 2n scans, the user designates an arbitrary position P ₄ with the input device 6 and enlarges the surrounding longitudinal image without changing the position of P _4. The case will be described. When enlargement processing is instructed from the control unit 21, the display processing unit 35 takes out the entire longitudinal image 39 b obtained by scanning from the memory 26. That is, the extracting the image data of 2n Like all cut image C _{1 of, C 2, C 3, C} 4 ~C 2n-2, C 2n-1, C 2n. Since the extracted overall longitudinal image 39b is not reduced, the width of each cut image and the width between the cut images are the width of the cut image and the width between the cut images in the vertical image 48c shown in FIG. Twice the width. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the display processing unit 35 calculates the display data of the longitudinal image 48d using the image data of n pieces of cut images corresponding to the width d of the display area 7a. In this case, P ₄ position designated by the user is placed in the same position as before the enlargement process, the display data of the longitudinal image obtained by displaying the other cutting image based on the position of the P ₄ is output. When it is desired to display a portion other than the vertical image 48d displayed after the enlargement process, for example, a movement instruction is given to the scroll bar 7b provided at the lower end of the display area 7a, and the display processing unit 35 follows this instruction. The entire longitudinal image 39b is extracted from the memory 26, and the display data corresponding to the movement instruction of the scroll bar 7b is calculated. As a result, a vertical image corresponding to the movement instruction of the user is displayed on the display area 7a.

  The display processing unit 35 may perform display data using a general compression method in addition to performing the thinning process or the width reduction process as the reduction process. In this case as well, the entire longitudinal image can be displayed on the display area 7a as in the reduction process described above. In FIG. 7, the transmission coil 14 is provided in the probe 2, but the positions of the transmission coil 14 and the reception coil 15 may be reversed.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the case where the display processing unit performs display processing for one image has been described, but in the third embodiment, the display processing unit performs display processing for a plurality of images.

  In the third embodiment, the display processing unit performs display processing for a plurality of longitudinal images and outputs display data for each longitudinal image. In the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the display processing unit calculates display data for displaying the entire longitudinal image on the display unit 72 using the processing procedure described in the second embodiment. . Further, the display processing unit calculates display data for displaying a longitudinal image of a portion corresponding to the area a of the display unit 72 on the display unit 73 using the processing procedure described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, since a plurality of longitudinal images are displayed in the display area 7a, by confirming the display on the display unit 72, the proportion of the longitudinal images scanned so far in the area displayed on the display unit 73 is increased. It can be recognized. Moreover, since the most recently formed cut image is displayed on the display units 72 and 73 as in the first and second embodiments, the same effects as in the first and second embodiments are obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a display unit 74 may be further provided in the display area 7a to display a tomographic image that is a two-dimensional ultrasonic image for each scan. In this case, since the tomographic image currently being scanned can be confirmed together with the longitudinal image, the organ being scanned can be comprehensively confirmed.

  In the first to third embodiments, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the transmission coil 14, the reception coil 15, and the position data calculation unit 4 and having the function of detecting the position of the ultrasonic transducer 13 has been described. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 81 shown in FIG. 16 may be used. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 81 does not include the transmission coil 14, the reception coil 15, and the position data calculation unit 4, but sets the interval between the cutting surfaces in advance according to the traveling direction of the probe 2 and sequentially arranges the cut images. A longitudinal image can be formed. Further, by forming display data according to the above-described vertical image display processing means, it is possible to display the most recently formed cut surface image.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the display data of a longitudinal image. It is a figure explaining the tomogram and the cut image. It is a figure explaining the tomogram and the cut image. It is a figure explaining the cutting image. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is the figure explaining the other example of the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is the figure explaining the other example of the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is the figure explaining the other example of the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the display data of a longitudinal image. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. It is a figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on a display area. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a longitudinal image displayed in the display area of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a longitudinal image displayed in the display area of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is another example of the schematic block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnosing device concerning Embodiment 1-3. It is the figure explaining the longitudinal image displayed on the display area of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31, 81 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Probe 3 Ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 Position data calculation part 5 Image forming apparatus 6 Input apparatus 7 Display apparatus 7a, 107a Display area 7b, 7c Scroll bar 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 13 Ultrasonic wave Vibrator 14 Transmitting coil 15 Receiving coil 21 Control unit 22, 32 Image processing unit 23 Display control unit 24 Vertical image forming unit 25, 35 Display processing unit 26 Memory 28a-28f, 281-283, 38a-38c, 47a-47d, 48a to 48d, 108 vertical picture 29,39a, 39b entire longitudinal picture 72, 73, 74 display unit B ₀ tomogram C ₀ -C _2n cut image

Claims (9)

A probe having an ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, forming a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic scan at a predetermined position, and sequentially cutting the cut images; In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying the arranged and interpolated longitudinal image on the display means,
Position data calculating means for detecting the position and orientation of the ultrasonic transducer;
Based on the detection result by the position data calculation means, sequentially form a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position, and interpolate between the adjacent cut images. A longitudinal image forming means for forming a longitudinal image;
Display processing means for causing the display means to display and output the longitudinal image formed by the longitudinal image forming means;
With
The display means includes a display area for displaying the longitudinal image,
The display processing unit causes the display unit to display and output the most recently formed cut image at a first predetermined position in the display area, and to display a longitudinal image displayed before the cut image. It moves according to the traveling direction of the probe obtained based on the detection result by the position data calculating means and outputs it , and changes the moving direction of the longitudinal image according to the change in the traveling direction of the probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined position is substantially in the center of the display area.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display processing unit moves the longitudinal image in response to an instruction to move the longitudinal image with respect to the display unit.   The display processing unit displays the vertical image on the display unit so that a cut image located at the center of the entire vertical image formed by the vertical image forming unit is arranged at a second predetermined position of the display area. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display is performed.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second predetermined position is substantially in the center of the display area. A probe having an ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic scanning by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, forming a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic scan at a predetermined position, and sequentially cutting the cut images; In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying the arranged and interpolated longitudinal image on the display means,
Position data calculating means for detecting the position and orientation of the ultrasonic transducer;
Based on the detection result by the position data calculation means, sequentially form a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position, and interpolate between the adjacent cut images. A longitudinal image forming means for forming a longitudinal image;
Display processing means for displaying the longitudinal image formed by the longitudinal image forming means on the display means;
With
The display means includes a first display area and a second display area as a display area for displaying the longitudinal image,
The display processing unit causes the display unit to display and output the most recently formed cut image at a predetermined position in the first display area, and to display a longitudinal image displayed before the cut image. It moves according to the traveling direction of the probe obtained based on the detection result by the position data calculating means, displays it in the first display area, and outputs the first according to the change in the traveling direction of the probe. The direction of movement of the longitudinal image in the display area is changed, and a cut image located at the center of the entire longitudinal image formed by the vertical image forming means is arranged at a predetermined position in the second display area. As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the longitudinal image is displayed and output.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic scanning is guided scanning. An image processing program for displaying and outputting a longitudinal image using an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic scanning in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a probe having an ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic scanning ,
Position data calculation procedure for detecting the position and orientation of the ultrasonic transducer;
Based on the detection result obtained by the position data calculation procedure, a cut image obtained by cutting the ultrasonic tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic scanning at a predetermined position is sequentially formed, and the interpolation is performed between the adjacent cut images. A longitudinal image forming procedure for forming a longitudinal image;
A display processing procedure for displaying and outputting the longitudinal image formed in the longitudinal image forming procedure in a predetermined display area;
Including
In the display processing procedure, the most recently formed cut image is arranged and displayed at the first predetermined position of the display area, and the longitudinal image displayed before the cut image is detected by the position data calculation procedure. The image processing is characterized in that it moves in accordance with the direction of travel of the probe obtained based on the display and outputs the display , and changes the direction of movement of the longitudinal image in accordance with the change in the direction of travel of the probe. program.   In the display processing procedure, the vertical section image is displayed on the display means so that a cut image located at the center of the entire vertical image formed by the vertical stage image forming procedure is arranged at a second predetermined position of the display area. 9. The image processing program according to claim 8, wherein the image processing program is displayed.

Images