JP4555100B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of confirming the position of a puncture needle inserted into a subject.

  The purpose of extracting a part of the affected tissue for diagnosis or injecting medicinal solution into the affected part while observing the ultrasonic image of the subject, especially the affected part in the human body, obtained using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus Thus, a puncture needle is inserted into the affected area in the subject.

  When inserting the puncture needle into the affected part in the human body, a guide member for guiding the puncture needle corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be used is attached to the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the guide member is provided on the guide member. The puncture needle is inserted into the human body through the guide hole, and the puncture needle is made to reach a desired position while observing the ultrasonic image of the affected part.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming the mounting position of the puncture needle before the puncture needle is inserted into the human body in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In FIG. 6, first, a puncture guideline indicating the passing range of the puncture needle corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be used is displayed on the monitor (step S601). Next, prompt the operator to confirm that the ultrasound image of the puncture needle is displayed in the superimposed puncture guideline with the puncture needle attached and immersed in water such as a water tank. Is displayed on the monitor (step S602).

As described above, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the confirmation function as to whether or not the puncture needle mounting position is appropriate is performed only by prompting the operator to perform the initial inspection, or the puncture needle mounting position is determined. It was a form that did not have a function to check whether it was appropriate or not.
JP 2001-353146 A JP-A-8-299344 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-205776

  However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the function of determining whether or not the puncture needle is properly attached by the operator is insufficient in spite of the highly puncture work related to the patient safety. In addition, there is a problem that depending on the level of the operator, a situation where the wearer is not properly worn may occur.

  In addition, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when evaluating the accuracy of the mounting position of the puncture needle, the relative positional relationship with the puncture guideline is confirmed with visual accuracy, and the accuracy is not quantified. Depending on the skill level of the operator, there is a problem that the mounting position of the puncture needle varies and lacks objectivity.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and quantitatively and inexpensively evaluates whether or not the position of the puncture needle in the subject is appropriate, and increases the skill level of the operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that realizes support for ensuring the safety of puncturing work that does not depend on the object.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a subject. 2 indicates an ultrasonic probe having means for attaching and receiving a puncture needle to be inserted into the subject, and an insertion position of the puncture needle into the subject. Means for superimposing and displaying the puncture guideline on the ultrasound image, means for calculating the brightness histogram by histogramming the brightness of the ultrasound image between the two puncture guidelines, and means for calculating an average value in the brightness histogram And means for determining whether or not the puncture needle mounting position is appropriate according to the difference between the average values of the luminance histogram before and after the puncture needle is mounted on the ultrasonic probe.

  With this configuration, it is possible to quantitatively and inexpensively evaluate whether or not the position of the puncture needle in the subject is appropriate, and to realize the support for ensuring the safety of the puncture work that does not depend on the skill level of the operator. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be provided.

  Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is based on the luminance histogram calculated by the luminance histogram calculating means while changing the distance between the two puncture guidelines with the puncture needle attached to the ultrasonic probe. Means for calculating the positional accuracy of the.

  With this configuration, the accuracy of the attachment position of the puncture needle can be evaluated numerically.

  Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention spatially divides two puncture guidelines with the puncture needle attached to the ultrasonic probe, and the divided regions are calculated by the luminance histogram calculation means. It is preferable to provide means for detecting deformation of the puncture needle by comparing the occupation ratio of the puncture needle in each of the divided areas based on the brightness histogram.

  With this configuration, before inserting the puncture needle into the subject, it is possible to further improve the safety of the puncture operation by detecting in advance the deformation of the puncture needle, such as bending, in the puncture position confirmation step.

  According to the present invention, it is quantitatively and inexpensively evaluated whether or not the position of the puncture needle in the subject is appropriate, and support for ensuring the safety of the puncture work independent of the skill level of the operator is realized. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an attachment member 102 (a puncture needle attachment means) having a guide hole for a puncture needle 101 corresponding to the ultrasound probe 100 is attached to the ultrasound probe 100. As confirmation work of the puncture position before entering the puncture work, the ultrasonic probe 100 is placed on the water surface, considering the water in the puncture position confirmation water tank 103 as the subject. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 drives an ultrasonic transducer (not shown) of the ultrasonic probe 100, receives the ultrasonic wave reflected in the water and returned to the ultrasonic transducer, and obtains a received signal. The reception signal from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 is stored in the image memory 105, and the reception signal read out from the image memory 105 is converted into an ultrasonic image by a digital scan converter (DSC) 106 and is sent to the monitor 107. Is displayed.

  The system control unit 108 superimposes and displays two puncture guidelines indicating the insertion position of the puncture needle into the subject on the ultrasound image via the DSC 106 and the ultrasound image between the two puncture guidelines. A means for calculating a luminance histogram by converting the luminance into a histogram, a means for calculating an average value in the luminance histogram, and a puncture needle according to the difference between the average values of the luminance histogram before and after the puncture needle is attached to the ultrasonic probe It functions as a means for determining whether or not the position of is correct.

  As will be described later, the operator console 109 is used by the operator to input information such as the start of confirmation of the puncture position, the end of installation of the ultrasonic probe 100, and the end of insertion of the puncture needle 101.

  FIG. 2A is a display example of the monitor 107 showing a state in which the puncture guideline 201 is superimposed on the puncture needle 202 as an ultrasonic image.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 3 in addition to FIG.

  2B is a diagram showing a display example of the monitor 107 at the time of confirmation of the puncture position (without puncture needle) and a luminance histogram L1, and FIG. 2C is a display example of the monitor 107 at the time of confirmation of the puncture position (with puncture needle). It is a figure which shows the brightness | luminance histogram L2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming the puncture position.

  In FIG. 3, the procedure is started by a puncture position confirmation input from the console 109.

  The two puncture guidelines 201 (FIG. 2A) indicating the range of attachment positions of the puncture needle 101 (202 in FIG. 2A) are displayed by the system control unit 108 corresponding to the currently selected ultrasonic probe 100. (Step S301).

  The system control unit 108 displays on the monitor 107 a reminder display of the installation of the ultrasonic probe 100 in the puncture position confirmation water tank 103 (step S302).

  At this time, it is in a state of waiting for an installation end input from the console 109 (step S303). When the operator finishes the installation of the ultrasound probe 100 and inputs the end of installation from the console 109, the system control unit 108 determines the brightness of the ultrasound images in the two puncture guideline 201 areas shown in the screen example of FIG. 2B. The histogram L1 is calculated (step S304).

  Next, the system controller 108 displays a reminder display for insertion of the puncture needle 101 (202) on the monitor 107 (step S305).

  At this time, it is in a state of waiting for an insertion end input from the console 109 (step S306). When the operator finishes inserting the puncture needle 101 through the guide hole of the mounting member 102 attached to the ultrasonic probe 100, the operator inputs the end of insertion from the console 109.

  Upon receiving the insertion end input from the console 109, the system control unit 108 calculates the luminance histogram L2 of the ultrasonic images of the two puncture guideline 201 regions shown in FIG. 2C (step S307).

  Next, the system control unit 108 represents the position of the puncture needle, the average value ave (L1) (0.27 in FIG. 2B) in the luminance histogram L1 calculated in step S304, and the luminance histogram calculated in step S307. A difference LD (= 0.28) from the average value ave (L2) in L2 (0.55 in FIG. 2C) is calculated (step S308).

  The system control unit 108 determines whether or not the difference LD between the average values of L1 and L2 calculated in step S308 is greater than a preset brightness difference threshold LDth (for example, 0.2) (step S309). When LD> LDth (Yes), it is determined that the puncture needle 202 is properly inserted into the two puncture guideline 201 areas, and a normal display (“the puncture needle is correctly inserted”) is output. (Step S310), the confirmation operation of the puncture position is completed.

  On the other hand, if LD ≦ LDth is determined in step S309 (No), the system control unit 108 determines that the puncture needle 202 is not inserted into the two puncture guideline 201 regions, and displays an error display (“Puncture needle is Is not correctly inserted ") (step S311), the process returns to step S302, prompts the operator to confirm the attachment of the puncture needle 101, and repeats steps S302 to S311 until it becomes appropriate.

  The mounting position of the puncture needle 101 is evaluated by the above procedure.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is quantitatively and inexpensively evaluated whether or not the position of the puncture needle in the subject is appropriate, and puncture work that does not depend on the skill level of the operator. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that realizes support for ensuring safety.

(Second Embodiment)
4A and 4B are schematic views showing display examples of the monitor 107 (FIG. 1) for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the system control unit 108 has two punctures in a state where the puncture needle 101 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 100 in addition to the functions of the first embodiment. It also functions as a means for calculating the positional accuracy of the puncture needle 101 based on the luminance histogram calculated while changing the distance between the guide lines.

  At the distance D1 between the two puncture guidelines as shown in FIG. 4A, the system control unit 108 calculates an average value from the luminance histogram as described in the first embodiment, and then the two puncture guidelines. The average distance is calculated from the luminance histogram by changing the distance between them to D2 (D2 <D1). Since the luminance occupancy ratio of the puncture needle 101 changes depending on whether the distance between the two puncture guidelines is D1 or D2, the average value in the luminance histogram is compared, so that the attachment position of the puncture needle 101 is compared. The accuracy can be calculated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the accuracy of the attachment position of the puncture needle can be evaluated numerically.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the monitor 107 (FIG. 1) for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the system control unit 108 has two punctures in a state where the puncture needle 101 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 100 in addition to the functions of the first embodiment. By dividing the guideline spatially (in FIG. 5, four divisions) and comparing the occupation ratio of the puncture needle 101 in each divided area based on the luminance histogram calculated for each divided area. It also functions as a means for detecting deformation such as bending of the puncture needle 101.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, before inserting the puncture needle into the subject, the deformation of the puncture needle, such as bending, is detected in advance in the puncture position confirmation step, so that the puncture operation is safe. The sex can be increased.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention quantitatively and inexpensively evaluates whether or not the position of the puncture needle in the subject is appropriate, and does not depend on the skill level of the operator. It has the advantage of providing support for ensuring work safety, and is useful for pathological analysis and medical treatment in medical institutions.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a monitor display example showing two puncture guidelines superimposed on a puncture needle as an ultrasonic image The figure which shows the example of a display of the monitor at the time of confirmation of the puncture position in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (without a puncture needle), and the luminance histogram L1 The figure which shows the example of a display of the monitor at the time of the confirmation of the puncture position in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (with a puncture needle), and luminance histogram L2 The flowchart which shows the procedure which confirms the puncture position in the ultrasound diagnosing device shown in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the monitor in the case of the distance D1 between two puncture guidelines in the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of a monitor in the case of changing the distance between two puncture guidelines from D1 to D2 in the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the monitor for demonstrating operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure which confirms the puncture position in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Ultrasonic probe 101 Puncture needle 102 Puncture needle attachment member 103 Puncture position confirmation water tank 104 Ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 105 Image memory 106 DSC
107 monitor 108 system control unit 109 console

Claims (3)

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from a subject,
An ultrasound probe having means for attaching and receiving a puncture needle to be inserted into the subject while transmitting and receiving ultrasound in contact with the subject;
Means for superimposing and displaying on the ultrasound image two puncture guidelines indicating the insertion position of the puncture needle into the subject;
Means for calculating a luminance histogram by histogramming the luminance of the ultrasonic image between the two puncture guidelines;
Means for calculating an average value in the luminance histogram;
Means for determining whether or not the puncture needle mounting position is appropriate according to the difference between the average values of the luminance histogram before and after the puncture needle is mounted on the ultrasonic probe. Ultrasound diagnostic device.   Means for calculating the position accuracy of the puncture needle based on the luminance histogram calculated by the luminance histogram calculation means while changing the distance between the two puncture guidelines while the puncture needle is attached to the ultrasonic probe The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The two puncture guidelines are spatially divided while the puncture needle is attached to the ultrasonic probe, and based on the luminance histogram calculated by the luminance histogram calculation means for each of the divided areas, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting deformation of the puncture needle by comparing the occupation ratio of the puncture needle in each of the divided areas.

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