JP4619736B2 - Image processing apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for processing image frame data obtained by ultrasonic scanning by a flash recirculation method.

  There is an observation method using ultrasonic scanning for observation of a subject, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus creates an image frame corresponding to one scanning area one frame at a time based on a reception signal generated from a reflected wave received by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the scanning area in the subject. The displayed image frames are displayed continuously or singly.

  For scanning of the scanning area by ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the internal tissue of the subject, the reflected waves are received and signal processing is performed, or contrast medium is administered and ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the contrast medium Then, there is a method of receiving the reflected wave and processing the signal.

  However, in the method using the contrast agent, the contrast agent gradually fills from the region of interest to the other region, the reflected wave reflected from the contrast agent in the region of interest and the reflected wave reflected from the contrast agent filled in the other region However, the reflected wave intensity cannot be distinguished. Since the image frame is displayed with luminance reflecting the reflected wave intensity, the region of interest is buried in another region, and an image frame that is difficult to observe is displayed.

  One method for solving this problem is a method called a flash recirculation method (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The flash reperfusion method is a method in which the ultrasonic wave for destruction is transmitted into the scanning region to disappear the contrast agent, and the ultrasonic wave for observation is transmitted to the contrast agent that is refluxed again. The scanning of the sound wave and the scanning of the observation ultrasonic wave are alternately repeated. In some cases, one scan of the destructive ultrasonic wave and a plurality of scans of the observation ultrasonic wave are alternately repeated. The destructive ultrasonic wave is an ultrasonic wave having a high sound pressure, and the observation ultrasonic wave is a sound pressure suitable for imaging a reflected wave from a contrast agent and has a lower sound pressure than the destructive ultrasonic wave.

  According to the flash reperfusion method, it is possible to observe how the contrast agent in the scanning region is swept away by the ultrasonic waves for destruction before the contrast agent is filled in other regions, and the contrast agent is refluxed again to the region of interest.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-246559

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays an image frame created from the received signal obtained by the flash recirculation method. In addition, the image frame created by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be displayed by hardware different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, an image processing apparatus constituted by a computer.

  The image frame is image data of one frame of the scanning region, and Raw data obtained by uniformly converting a reflected wave received by ultrasonic transmission into a received signal, or a reflected wave is uniformly converted into a received signal, and a B mode. This is signal processed data after completion of scanning in which signal processing in accordance with a mode such as a color mode or a color Doppler mode is uniformly performed.

  In the flash recirculation method, regardless of whether it is a reflected wave received by sending ultrasonic waves for destruction or a reflected wave received by sending ultrasonic waves for observation, one ultrasonic scanning region is used. An image frame for one frame is obtained by scanning of the above. Therefore, the image frame group created in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by the destructive ultrasonic scan and an observation ultrasonic wave obtained by the observation ultrasonic scan. Origin image frames are mixed.

  When such image frame groups are continuously displayed as cine display, the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frames derived from the observation ultrasound are alternately displayed, the video blinks, and an accurate clinical diagnosis is performed. May be difficult.

  In addition, when performing a quantitative analysis for detecting a thrombus, the luminance is calculated from the image frame. For this reason, if the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is included in the data whose luminance is calculated, accurate quantitative analysis may be difficult.

  This is because the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is based on the destructive ultrasonic wave transmitted at a high sound pressure, and thus becomes an extremely bright image.

  Further, when diagnosing by extracting one frame from the image frame group and displaying it as a still image, whether the still image is derived from an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound or from an image frame derived from observation ultrasound I had to make a diagnosis after judging whether it was a thing.

  Thus, when an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound, which is data that does not require observation, is displayed, accurate clinical diagnosis and quantitative analysis based on the image frame derived from observation ultrasound become difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to easily and accurately perform clinical diagnosis and quantitative analysis even with an image frame obtained by ultrasonic scanning by the flash reperfusion method. It relates to techniques that can be performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus having a display means for displaying an image frame, and obtained by scanning a destructive ultrasonic wave and an observation ultrasonic wave by a flash recirculation method. Image frame storage means for storing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound, and the image frame stored in the image frame storage means as an image derived from the destructive ultrasound Distinction means for distinguishing between a frame and an image frame derived from observation ultrasound, and an erasure means for erasing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound from the storage means, the display means And displaying a stored image frame.

  The invention described in claim 2 is an image processing apparatus having a display means for displaying an image frame, wherein the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by the flash recirculation method. Image frame storage means for storing the image frame derived from the image and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, and the image frame stored in the image frame storage means, the image frame derived from the ultrasonic wave for destruction and the ultrasonic wave for observation And a distinguishing means for distinguishing from the image frame derived from the image, wherein only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound is displayed on the display means among the image frames distinguished by the distinguishing means. .

  Further, the invention described in claim 10 is provided with a display means, and the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by the flash recirculation method, and the deriving ultrasonic wave origin An image processing apparatus for storing the image frames of the image processing apparatus, and a distinguishing means for distinguishing the image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound. And functioning as an erasing unit for erasing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave discriminated by the discriminating unit from the storage unit, and displaying the stored image frame on the display unit. And

  The invention described in claim 11 is provided with a display means, and the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by the flash recirculation method, and the deriving ultrasonic wave origin An image processing apparatus for storing the image frames of the image processing apparatus, and a distinguishing means for distinguishing the image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound. An image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking by the marking means, the marking means marking the image frame derived from the differentiated destructive ultrasonic wave or the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave It is characterized by only displaying.

  When an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is selected based on the image frame displayed on the display unit, the distinguishing unit is configured to select the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the observation ultrasonic wave depending on whether or not the image frame is selected. You may make it distinguish from the image frame of origin.

  The distinction means is a brightness calculation means for calculating the brightness of each image frame stored in the image frame storage means, and an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is selected based on the brightness displayed on the display means. The image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave may be distinguished depending on whether or not they are selected.

  The distinction means includes a threshold storage means for storing a brightness threshold in advance, a brightness calculation means for calculating the brightness of each image frame stored in the image frame storage means, a calculated brightness of the image frame, and the threshold storage. Comparing means for comparing the threshold value stored in the means, and depending on whether or not the comparison result of the comparing means exceeds the threshold value, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the observation ultrasound derived The image frames may be distinguished from each other.

  The image processing apparatus further includes time information storage means for storing a time at which a predetermined cardiac phase appears as cardiac phase time information, and the image frame storage means includes ultrasonic waves for destruction and ultrasonic waves for observation by a flash recirculation method. An image frame derived from a destructive ultrasonic wave and an image frame derived from an observation ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning a sound wave and ECG synchronization and having the scanned time as scan time information are stored, and the distinction means Extraction means for extracting an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound based on the cardiac phase time information and the scanning time information attached to each image frame, and whether or not the extraction is performed by the extraction means Depending on the situation, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound may be distinguished.

  The storage means includes a designation means for designating an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound among the image frames displayed on the display means by a heart wall shape, and a heart designated by the designation means. Extraction means for extracting an image frame having a wall shape, and the discrimination means determines whether the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave depending on whether the image is extracted by the extraction means. May be distinguished from each other.

  The distinguishing unit includes an extracting unit that extracts an odd-numbered image frame or an even-numbered image frame from among the image frames stored in the image frame storing unit, and whether or not the image frame is extracted by the extracting unit. You may make it distinguish the image frame derived from the ultrasonic wave for destruction, and the image frame derived from the said ultrasonic wave for observation.

  Further, in the present invention, the image processing device is based on the image processing device, an ultrasonic probe that scans a scanning region with destructive ultrasonic waves and observation ultrasonic waves, and scanning of the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising image frame creating means for creating the image frames may be used.

  The image processing apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and image processing program according to the present invention are stored in a state in which the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic are mixedly stored in the image frame storage means. These are provided with a discriminating means and an erasing means for discriminating the image frames, and the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound are erased by the erasing means among the image frames discriminated by the discriminating means. Or, it is provided with distinguishing means and marking means, marking the image frame derived from any of the image frames distinguished by the distinguishing means, and displaying only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound based on the marking It is.

  Therefore, there is no need to worry about image frames derived from destructive ultrasound during cine display, quantitative analysis, or still images even in ultrasound diagnosis using a method that obtains image frames by scanning ultrasound with the flash recirculation method. Thus, accurate clinical diagnosis and quantitative analysis can be easily performed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an image processing program according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A group of image frames in which image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from the observation ultrasound are mixed is generated by an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that performs ultrasound scanning by the flash recirculation method. First, an image frame generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 23 and the flash recirculation method shown in FIG.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 23 receives an operation of the operation panel 10h by the operator of the apparatus, and causes the ultrasonic probe 10a brought into contact with the subject to transmit ultrasonic waves into the subject. The reflected wave is received. The sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave to be transmitted is determined by the voltage pulse voltage transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 10b to the ultrasonic probe 10a.

  The received reflected wave is converted into a reception signal by the ultrasonic probe 10a, and stored in the image memory 10d via the signal processing unit 10c that performs phasing addition of the reception signal and detection of a desired frequency by the transmission / reception unit 10b. The In the image memory 10d, so-called Raw data obtained by collecting received signals into a signal sequence of one scanning region of the subject, or signal processing for one scanning region in which signal processing for B-mode image generation is performed by the signal processing unit 10c. One of the video format data for one scanning region in which the signal processed data is converted into a video format that can be displayed on the display unit 10f by the image processing unit 10e is stored.

  The stored data is stored in a signal sequence for one scanning area, that is, in units of frames. The data for each frame unit becomes an image frame, and the image frames are grouped in time series to form an image frame group.

  In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 23, the transmission / reception unit 10b is controlled by the control unit 10g so that the ultrasonic probe 10a alternately transmits the ultrasonic waves for destruction and the ultrasonic waves for observation, Ultrasonic scanning by the flash recirculation method is performed. The control unit 10g includes a CPU 10i, a RAM 10j, an HDD 10k, and a sequencer 10L in order to control the units 10b to 10f and 10h. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of ultrasonic scanning by the flash recirculation method.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in the flash reperfusion method, a high acoustic pressure breaking ultrasonic wave is transmitted into the subject, the contrast agent in the subject disappears, and the contrast agent that recirculates is observed. Scanning with ultrasonic waves. There are cases where the scanning of the ultrasonic waves for destruction and the scanning of ultrasonic waves for observation are alternately performed once, or the ultrasonic waves for observation are scanned a plurality of times for each scanning of ultrasonic waves for destruction.

  By this flash recirculation method, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic probe 10a alternately converts the reflected wave due to the transmission of the breaking ultrasonic wave and the reflected wave due to the transmission of the observation ultrasonic wave into a received signal. Then, an operation is performed in which image frames derived from the destructive ultrasonic waves and image frames derived from the observation ultrasonic waves are alternately stored in the image memory 10d.

  The image frame group stored in the image memory 10d is read out by the image processing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 through a network, or moved to the image processing apparatus 1 to be stored. Can do. It can also be moved by a storage medium.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 1 that stores image frames will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a CPU 2, a RAM 3, an HDD 4, an input unit 5, and a monitor 6 as display means are provided. The image processing apparatus 1 receives the input of the apparatus operator from the input unit 5 and the CPU 2 executes the image processing program stored in the HDD 4, so that the arithmetic processing result is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 as appropriate and the image is stored in the monitor 6. It is a device that displays frames as images.

  For example, the image processing apparatus 1 includes apparatuses having the above-described configuration such as a personal computer and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 including a control unit. An image frame is stored for each frame in the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 of the image processing apparatus 1. When the image processing apparatus 1 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the image memory 10 d described above corresponds to the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, the operation panel 10 h corresponds to the input unit 5, and the display unit 7 corresponds to the monitor 6.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 includes functions of an image frame storage unit 1a, an image frame change unit 1b, a display control unit 1c, and an image selection control unit 1d.

  The image frame storage unit 1a is configured by, for example, the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, and is an image frame storage unit that stores the image frame group collected by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. In the image frame group, image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound are mixed.

  The display control unit 1c causes the monitor 6 to display the image frame group stored in the image frame storage unit 1a. In the display of the image frame group by the display control unit 1c, in the case of cine display, the image frame group is continuously displayed in chronological order. In addition, the display of the image frame group by the display control unit 1c simultaneously displays the image frame group for a plurality of frames in the case of image processing. In the case of image processing, by simultaneously displaying a plurality of frames, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound shown in FIG. 8 are simultaneously displayed separately in a state where the screen of the monitor 6 is divided. Will be.

  8A is an image frame derived from destructive ultrasonic waves, FIG. 8B is an image frame derived from observation ultrasonic waves, and is an image frame that is simultaneously displayed on the monitor 6 by the display control unit 1c. An image frame derived from a high sound pressure destructive ultrasonic wave has a high luminance, and the distinction between the attention area and other areas cannot be made. In the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound, the attention area is well displayed. By simultaneously displaying these image frames, the apparatus operator can distinguish the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound from the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound.

  The image selection control unit 1d is a unit for the device operator to select a desired image frame from among the image frames displayed on the monitor 6, and serves as a selection unit together with the input unit 5, and further displays an image together with the display control unit 1c. This is a distinguishing means for distinguishing the frames according to whether or not they are selected. The image frame desired by the operator of the apparatus is an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound in the group of image frames simultaneously displayed by the display control unit 1c. The image selection control unit 1d displays a check box corresponding to each image frame displayed on the monitor 6, and enables the apparatus operator to select an image frame.

  When the apparatus operator checks the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave using the input unit 5 and selects the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave, the address of the checked image frame is recorded, and the image frame group is stored. A distinction is made between selected and unselected image frames.

  The image selection control unit 1d may cause the apparatus operator to check the image frame derived from the gradation sound wave for observation and pass the address of the unchecked image frame to the image frame changing unit 1b. .

  The image frame changing unit 1b regards the selected image frame as the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound among the image frames distinguished by the image selection control unit 1d, and erases the selected image frame Means. FIG. 14 shows an image frame group in which image frames derived from destructive ultrasonic waves and image frames derived from observation ultrasonic waves stored in the image frame storage unit 1a are erased from image frames derived from destructive ultrasonic waves. It is explanatory drawing changed to an image frame group. As shown in FIG. 14, the image frame changing unit 1b erases the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the address recorded by the image selection control unit 1d. As a result, the image frame group is composed only of image frames derived from observation ultrasound, and even if the image frame group is displayed in cine order in chronological order, the blinking of the video is eliminated and the observation of the subject is facilitated. Also, the analysis based on the image frame group becomes accurate.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S100). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program, and simultaneously displays the image frame group stored in the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 on the monitor 6 (S101). That is, a group of image frames stored in the image frame storage unit 1a are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 6 by the display control unit 1c.

  When image frames for a plurality of frames are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 6, the apparatus operator operates the input unit 5 to check the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound among the simultaneously displayed image frames, The image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished (S102). That is, the selection control unit 1d serving as a distinguishing unit distinguishes between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound depending on whether or not there is a selection using the apparatus operator's check.

  When the image frame is identified, the identified image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased (S103). By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, and the program is terminated (S104).

  In the present embodiment, thereafter, cine display and quantitative analysis can be performed only with the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound, and the observation of the subject becomes easy and the quantitative analysis becomes accurate.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the image frame changing unit 1b of the first embodiment is different, and accordingly the display control unit 1c is different. The other configurations are the same as those in FIGS. Detailed explanation will be omitted.

  The image frame changing unit 1b in the present embodiment regards the selected image frame among the image frames distinguished by the image selection control unit 1d as an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound, and selects the selected image frame. It is a marking means for marking. In FIG. 15, an image frame group in which image frames derived from destructive ultrasonic waves and image frames derived from observation ultrasonic waves stored in the image frame storage unit 1a are mixed is marked on the image frames derived from destructive ultrasonic waves. It is explanatory drawing changed to an image frame group. The image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave shown in FIG. 15 is recorded by the image selection control unit 1d, and based on the recorded address, the image frame changing unit 1d performs the image derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave. Mark is added to the header of the frame. As a result, the image frame group includes an image frame derived from observation ultrasound without Mark and an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound attached with Mark.

  The display control unit 1c causes the monitor 6 to display only image frames having no Mark in the data header portion of the image frame group stored in the image frame storage unit 1a during cine display or quantitative analysis. That is, only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound is displayed. In addition, when Mark is added to the header part of the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, only the image frame having Mark attached to the data header part is displayed.

  Thereby, even if the image frame group is displayed in cine, the blinking of the video is eliminated and the observation of the subject becomes easy, and the analysis based on the image frame group becomes accurate.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. Here, S200 to S202 are the same as S101 to S102 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, when an image frame is distinguished by the image selection control unit 1d, the image header derived from the destructive ultrasound or the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound identified by the image frame changing unit 1b Mark is added (S203).

  With this marking, Mark is added to the data header portion of the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave or the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, and the program ends (S204).

  After that, when marking an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound, only an image frame without marking is displayed, and when marking an image frame derived from observation ultrasound, an image with marking Only cine display or quantitative analysis of the frame.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, image frames derived from the destructive ultrasonic waves are also left in the RAM 3 and the HDD 4, and the data correction of the image frame group can be performed again.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, in each embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 is the same as that in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image frame storage unit 1a, an image frame change unit 1b, a display control unit 1c, a luminance calculation unit 1e, and a luminance value selection control unit 1f. Is provided. The image frame storage unit 1a and the image frame change unit 1b are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  The luminance calculation unit 1e calculates the luminance value of the image frame stored in the image frame storage unit 1a for each frame. The luminance value of the image frame is an average value in all pixels of the image frame.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 1c simultaneously displays the luminance value for each image frame calculated by the luminance calculation unit 1e with the data number of the image frame. As shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 1c displays, for example, a graph shape in which the data numbers of image frames are arranged on the horizontal axis and the luminance values corresponding to the vertical axis are plotted. When displayed in the form of a graph, the luminance value of an image frame derived from destructive ultrasonic waves having a luminance value corresponding to high sound pressure and the luminance value of an image frame derived from observation ultrasonic waves can be seen at a glance.

  When the luminance value for each image frame is displayed on the monitor 6, the luminance value selection control unit 1 f displays a check box corresponding to the displayed luminance value so that the device operator can select a desired luminance value. It becomes a selection means together with the input unit 5, and further becomes a discrimination means for distinguishing the image frame group according to the presence or absence of selection together with the display control section 1c and the luminance calculation section 1e.

  The brightness value desired by the operator of the apparatus is the brightness value of the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound. The apparatus operator checks the high luminance value using the input unit 5 and selects an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound. By this check, the image selection control unit 1d records the address of the checked image frame, so that the image frame derived from the selected destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the unobserved observation ultrasound are selected. Distinguish.

  The image frame changing unit 1b erases the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound among the image frames distinguished in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, or derives from the destructive ultrasound. Mark an image frame or an image frame derived from observation ultrasound.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail based on FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S300). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program, and calculates the luminance value of the image frame stored in the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 for each frame (S301).

  When the luminance value is calculated for each frame, as shown in FIG. 9, a graph with the data number of the image frame on the horizontal axis and the corresponding luminance value on the vertical axis is displayed on the monitor 6 (S302). That is, the luminance calculation unit 1e calculates the luminance value of the image frame stored in the image frame storage unit 1a, and the calculation result is displayed on the monitor 6 by the display control unit 1c.

  The device operator operates the input unit 5 while viewing the luminance value displayed on the monitor 6, and checks the data number of the image frame having the higher luminance value among the data numbers of the displayed image frames. By this check, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound, which is an image frame having a high luminance value, is distinguished from an image frame derived from the observation ultrasound (S303). That is, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave are distinguished depending on whether or not they are selected.

  When the image frame is distinguished, the image frame changing unit 1b erases the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave identified by the check (S304). Note that marking may be performed as in the second embodiment.

  By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 and the program is terminated (S305). In the case of marking, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave remains as it is from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, but thereafter, the display control unit 1e displays only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment distinguishes image frames based on the luminance value calculation in the third embodiment without depending on the operation of the apparatus operator. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an image frame storage unit 1 a that stores image frame groups, an image frame change unit 1 b that deletes or marks distinguished image frames, and a display that displays the image frame groups. A control unit 1c, a luminance calculation unit 1e that calculates the luminance value of the image frame for each frame, a threshold storage unit 1g, and a comparison unit 1h are provided.

  The threshold storage unit 1g is composed of, for example, the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, and stores the threshold value of the luminance value. The threshold value of the luminance value is set to a value that distinguishes the luminance value of the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the luminance value of the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, and is defined by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The value corresponds to the sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave and the signal processing of the received signal.

  The comparison unit 1h is a comparison unit that compares the luminance value of the image frame calculated by the luminance calculation unit 1e with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 1g for each frame, and exceeds the threshold value together with the threshold value storage unit 1g. Depending on whether or not the image frame is derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, it becomes a distinguishing means. FIG. 10 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of comparison in the comparison unit 1h. As shown in FIG. 10, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave exceeds the threshold value due to the height of the luminance value resulting from the sound pressure level, and is clearly distinguished from the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave by comparison. Is done.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail based on FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S400). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program, and calculates the luminance value of the image frame stored in the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 for each frame (S401).

  When the luminance value is calculated for each frame, as shown in FIG. 10, the calculated luminance value is compared with a threshold value stored in advance (S402). That is, the luminance calculation unit 1e calculates the luminance value of the image frame stored in the image frame storage unit 1a, and compares the calculated luminance value with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 1g. By this comparison, an image frame that exceeds the threshold is distinguished from an image frame that falls below the threshold (S403).

  When the image frame is distinguished, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased (S404). Note that marking may be performed as in the second embodiment.

  By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, and the program is terminated (S405). In the case of marking, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave remains as it is from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, but thereafter, the display control unit 1c displays only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound and an image derived from observation ultrasound for an image frame group acquired by scanning with ultrasound using ECG (electrocardiogram) synchronization. It distinguishes frames. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 that collects image frames scans with each ultrasonic wave by ECG synchronization. FIG. 11 is a conceptual explanatory diagram in which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus scans with ultrasonic waves in synchronization with ECG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 scans the destruction ultrasonic waves after elapse of t ₁ time set in advance by the apparatus operator from the appearance times T, 2T,. The image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is acquired, and the observation ultrasonic wave is scanned and observed after the elapse of t ₂ hours set in advance by the apparatus operator from the appearance time T, 2T. Acquire image frames derived from ultrasound. Of course, any of P, Q, S, and T waves other than the R wave may be used as a reference for synchronization. Note that T is not always a fixed time.

  The image frame group generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is stored in the image processing apparatus 1 such as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 or other computer together with the cardiac phase time information that is information on the appearance time of the R wave, Image processing is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an image frame storage unit 1 a that stores image frame groups, an image frame change unit 1 b that erases or marks distinguished image frames, and a display that displays the image frame groups. A control unit 1c, a cardiac phase time information storage unit 1i, and a cardiac phase extraction unit 1j are provided.

  Although the image frame is stored in the image frame storage unit 1a as in the other embodiments, particularly in this embodiment, the scan time at which the image frame is acquired by scanning with ECG synchronization and the image frame is acquired. Is attached to the header portion of the image frame and stored as scanning time information.

  The cardiac phase time information storage unit 1i is constituted by, for example, the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, and is time information storage means that records the time at which a cardiac phase such as an R wave by ECG appears as cardiac phase time information.

  The cardiac phase extraction unit 1j is derived from the destructive ultrasound based on the cardiac phase time information stored in the cardiac phase time information storage unit 1i and the scanning time information stored in the image frame storage unit 1a. It becomes an extracting means for extracting an image frame, and becomes a distinguishing means for distinguishing based on whether or not an image frame has been extracted.

Cardiac phase extraction portion 1j, as shown in FIG. 12, and obtains the phase time information during each cardiac adds destruction ultrasound scan timing t ₁ which is set in advance by the apparatus operator. Then, from the scanning time attached to each image frame, an image frame attached with scanning time information corresponding to T + t ₁ , 2T + t ₁ ,.

  That is, in ECG synchronization, the destructive ultrasonic scanning timing is set so that the destructive ultrasonic scan is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the appearance time of the predetermined cardiac time phase. The image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished by acquiring and extracting an image frame in which a time after a predetermined time has elapsed as the scan time from the appearance time .

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail based on FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S500). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program, and the cardiac phase extraction unit 1j performs ultrasonic scanning for destruction preset in the cardiac phase time information stored in the RAM 3 or the HDD 4. The timing is added (S501).

  When the destructive ultrasound scanning timing is added to the cardiac phase time, as shown in FIG. 12, the cardiac phase extraction unit 1j extracts an image frame with the same scanning time as the time of the addition result. (S502). By this extraction, the extracted image frame is regarded as the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound, and the image frame derived from the marine ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished depending on whether the image frame is extracted or not. (S503).

  When the image frame is distinguished, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased (S504). Note that marking may be performed as in the second embodiment.

  By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 and the program is terminated (S505). In the case of marking, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave remains as it is from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, but thereafter, the display control unit 1c displays only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Similar to the fifth embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and an observation for an image frame group acquired by scanning with ultrasonic waves by ECG synchronization. It distinguishes image frames derived from ultrasound.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an image frame storage unit 1 a that stores image frame groups, an image frame change unit 1 b that deletes or marks distinguished image frames, and a display that displays the image frame groups. The control part 1c and the concentric wall shape extraction part 1k are provided.

  The concentric wall shape extraction unit 1k is an extraction unit that extracts an image frame acquired by scanning of ultrasonic waves for destruction by ECG synchronization by, for example, an automatic contour extraction method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-073850. Together with the input unit 5 as a designation means for designating the wall shape, it becomes a distinction means for distinguishing whether or not an image frame has been extracted. The image frames acquired by the scanning of the ultrasonic waves for destruction by ECG synchronization are the same in the shape of the heart wall. The apparatus operator designates an image frame derived from one ultrasonic wave for destruction, and the concentric wall shape extraction unit 1k An image frame having the same heart wall shape as the designated heart wall shape is extracted as an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound.

  A plurality of frames are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 6 by the display control unit 1c, and the apparatus operator designates the heart wall shape of the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound by the input unit 5 serving as a designation unit. The concentric wall shape extraction unit 1k extracts an image frame having the same heart wall shape as the designated heart wall shape.

  The automatic contour extraction method by the concentric wall shape extraction unit 1k is as described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-07350, but the inner wall of the left heart wall and the valve contour are traced and the volume value is calculated. Thus, the heart wall shape having the same volume value as the volume value of the designated heart wall shape is changed to the same heart wall shape.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S600). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program and displays a plurality of image frames on the monitor 6 simultaneously (S601).

  The apparatus operator designates an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound from the image frames for a plurality of frames displayed on the monitor 6 (S602). When an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is designated, first, the inner wall and valve contour of the concentric left heart wall of the image frame are traced, and the volume value is calculated. Further, each image frame of the image frame group is traced to extract an image frame having a heart wall shape having the same value as the calculated volume value (S603). By this extraction, the extracted image frame is recognized as an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave, and depending on whether the image frame is extracted, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave Are distinguished (S604).

  When the image frame is distinguished, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased (S605). Note that marking may be performed as in the second embodiment.

  By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 and the program is terminated (S606). In the case of marking, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave remains as it is from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, but thereafter, the display control unit 1e displays only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment distinguishes an image frame derived from a destructive ultrasonic wave from an image frame derived from an observation ultrasonic wave using an image frame arrangement order rule. In other words, the flash recirculation method is used to alternately scan once for each of the ultrasonic waves for destruction and the ultrasonic waves for observation.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an image frame storage unit 1a that stores image frame groups, an image frame change unit 1b that deletes or marks distinguished image frames, and a display that displays the image frame groups. A control unit 1c and a permutation selection control unit 1L are provided.

  The permutation selection control unit 1L is an extracting unit that extracts an odd-numbered or even-numbered image frame from among image frames, and is a distinguishing unit that distinguishes whether or not an image frame has been extracted. When the apparatus operator recognizes and designates an odd-numbered or even-numbered image frame as an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound, the image frame corresponding to that order is extracted as an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when a predetermined number of image frames are displayed from an arbitrary order of image frames, whether the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound are even or odd is checked based on the luminance value. be able to. In FIG. 13, the even number corresponds to an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound.

  In the flash recirculation method, when scanning with ultrasonic waves for observation a predetermined number of times for one ultrasonic scan for destruction, the apparatus operator designates the permutation and performs extraction based on the designated permutation. Also good.

  A plurality of frames are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 6 by the display control unit 1c, and the apparatus operator recognizes whether the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave is an even number or an odd number by the input unit 5 serving as a designation means. To specify.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail based on FIG. First, the CPU 2 starts an image processing program stored in the HDD 4 (S700). When the image processing program is activated, the CPU 2 performs arithmetic processing based on the program and displays a plurality of image frames on the monitor 6 simultaneously (S701).

  The apparatus operator designates whether the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound are even-numbered or odd-numbered from the plurality of image frames displayed on the monitor 6 (S702). When the order of the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasound is specified, the even-numbered image frames are extracted from the order, for example, the data numbers as shown in FIG. 13 (S703). By this extraction, the extracted image frame is recognized as an image frame derived from destructive ultrasound, and depending on whether the image frame is extracted, an image frame derived from ocean ultrasound and an image frame derived from observation ultrasound are used. Are distinguished (S704).

  When the image frame is distinguished, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased (S705). Note that marking may be performed as in the second embodiment.

  By erasing the image frame, the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound is erased from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4 and the program is terminated (S706). In the case of marking, an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave remains as it is from the RAM 3 or the HDD 4, but thereafter, the display control unit 1c displays only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave based on the marking.

  In each of the above embodiments, cine display and quantitative analysis can be performed only by using the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic wave, and the observation of the subject becomes easy and the quantitative analysis becomes accurate. In addition, when only the image frames derived from the observation ultrasonic waves are displayed by marking, the image frames derived from the destructive ultrasonic waves are also left in the RAM 3 and the HDD 4, and the data correction of the image frame group is performed. Can be redone.

It is a block block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st or 2nd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 6th embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 7th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a figure explaining 4th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the concept of 5th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the data memorized by the image processing device concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the concept of 7th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the distinction of an image frame, and is an explanatory view of the form which erases an image frame. It is a figure explaining the distinction of an image frame, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing of the form which displays only the image frame derived from the ultrasonic wave for observation. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 6th embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 7th embodiment. It is a block block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosing device. It is a figure explaining a flash recirculation method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 1a Image frame memory | storage part 1b Image frame change part 1c Display control part 1d Image selection control part 1e Luminance calculation part 1f Luminance value selection control part 1g Threshold value memory | storage part 1h Comparison part 1i Heart phase time information storage part 1j Heart Time phase extraction unit 1k Concentric wall shape extraction unit 1L Permutation selection control unit

Claims (17)

An image processing apparatus having display means for displaying an image frame,
Image frame storage means for storing an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by the flash recirculation method, and an image frame derived from the ultrasonic wave for observation;
Differentiating means for distinguishing image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound;
An erasing unit for erasing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave identified by the distinguishing unit from the image frame storing unit;
With
Displaying the stored image frame on the display means;
An image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus having display means for displaying an image frame,
Image frame storage means for storing an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by the flash recirculation method, and an image frame derived from the ultrasonic wave for observation;
Differentiating means for distinguishing image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound;
Marking means for marking the image frame derived from the differentiated destructive ultrasound or the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound;
With
Based on the marking by the marking means, only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound is displayed on the display means,
An image processing apparatus. The distinguishing means is
Based on the image frame displayed on the display means, comprising a selection means for selecting an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound,
Distinguishing between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound according to the presence or absence of selection;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The distinguishing means is
Luminance calculation means for calculating the luminance of each image frame stored in the image frame storage means;
A selection means for selecting an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound based on the luminance displayed on the display means;
Distinguishing between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound according to the presence or absence of selection;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The distinguishing means is
Threshold storage means for storing a threshold of brightness in advance;
Luminance calculation means for calculating the luminance of each image frame stored in the image frame storage means;
A comparison means for comparing the calculated luminance of the image frame with a threshold value stored in the threshold value storage means;
With
Distinguishing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound according to whether or not the comparison result of the comparison means exceeds the threshold value;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising time information storage means for storing the time at which the predetermined cardiac phase appears as cardiac phase time information,
The image frame storage means includes
Destructive ultrasound-derived image frame obtained by scanning of the ultrasonic waves for destruction and observation ultrasonic waves by the flash recirculation method and ECG synchronization, and the time of the scanning attached as scanning time information and the observation ultrasonic waves Storing image frames derived from sound waves,
The distinguishing means is
Based on the cardiac phase time information and the scanning time information attached to each image frame, extraction means for extracting an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound,
With
Distinguishing between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound depending on whether or not it has been extracted by the extraction means,
An image processing apparatus. The distinguishing means is
Among the image frames displayed on the display means, designation means for designating an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound by a heart wall shape,
Extraction means for extracting an image frame having a heart wall shape designated by the designation means;
With
The distinguishing means distinguishes between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound depending on whether or not the extraction means has extracted,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The distinguishing means is
An extraction means for extracting an odd-numbered image frame or an even-numbered image frame out of the image frames stored in the image frame storage means;
Distinguishing between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound depending on whether or not it has been extracted by the extraction means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An ultrasonic probe that scans a scanning region with destructive ultrasonic waves and observation ultrasonic waves;
Image frame creating means for creating each image frame based on scanning of the ultrasonic probe;
Providing
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. Image processing apparatus having display means and storing an image frame derived from a destructive ultrasonic wave and an image frame derived from an observation ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by a flash recirculation method The
Differentiating means for distinguishing image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound;
An erasing unit for erasing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasonic wave identified by the distinguishing unit from the storage unit;
To function,
Displaying the stored image frame on the display means;
An image processing program characterized by the above. Image processing apparatus having display means and storing an image frame derived from a destructive ultrasonic wave and an image frame derived from an observation ultrasonic wave obtained by scanning the destructive ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave by a flash recirculation method The
Differentiating means for distinguishing image frames stored in the image frame storage means into image frames derived from destructive ultrasound and image frames derived from observation ultrasound;
Marking means for marking the image frame derived from the differentiated destructive ultrasound or the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound;
To function,
Based on the marking by the marking means, displaying only the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound,
An image processing program characterized by the above. The distinguishing means is
Displaying at least the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound on the display means, and distinguishing the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasonic according to the presence or absence of the selection,
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The distinguishing means is
Brightness calculating means for calculating the brightness of each stored image frame;
The display means displays the brightness calculated by the brightness calculation means in a selectable manner, and distinguishes between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound according to the presence or absence of selection,
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The distinguishing means is
Threshold storage means for storing a threshold of brightness in advance;
Luminance calculation means for calculating the luminance of each stored image frame;
A comparing means for comparing the calculated luminance of the image frame with the threshold;
Including
Whether the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished according to whether the comparison result exceeds the threshold value,
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The image processing apparatus includes:
Destructive ultrasound-derived image frame and observation ultrasonic waves obtained by scanning and ECG synchronization of destructive ultrasonic waves and observation ultrasonic waves by the flash recirculation method, and scanning time information added thereto Memorize the image frame and
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11,
The image processing apparatus is
Further function as time information storage means for storing the time when the predetermined cardiac phase appears as cardiac phase time information,
The distinguishing means is
Based on the cardiac phase time information and the scanning time information attached to each image frame, including extraction means for extracting an image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound,
Whether the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished depending on whether or not the extraction means has extracted,
An image processing program characterized by the above. The distinguishing means is
Among the image frames displayed on the display means, when an image frame derived from a destructive ultrasonic wave is designated by a heart wall shape, an extraction means for extracting an image frame having a designated heart wall shape,
Whether the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound are distinguished depending on whether or not the extraction means has extracted,
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The distinguishing means is
An extraction means for extracting an odd-numbered image frame or an even-numbered image frame out of the image frames stored in the image frame storage means;
Distinguishing between the image frame derived from the destructive ultrasound and the image frame derived from the observation ultrasound depending on whether or not the extraction means has extracted,
The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: