JP4668686B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that scans a subject with ultrasonic waves and generates an image of the subject based on an obtained echo signal, and in particular, sets of function setting values related to diagnostic contents, that is, setting of operation parameters Relating to the ease of

  Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has various functions, it is necessary to set function setting values in accordance with the diagnostic field and diagnostic items when using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In view of this, a function setting value candidate value is displayed as a list on the display unit, and an operator selects and sets one of the displayed values (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). . Examples of function setting values include 2D / M gain values (hereinafter abbreviated as B / W Gain), color gain values (hereinafter abbreviated as CDI Gain), and pulse wave gain values (hereinafter abbreviated as PW Gain). ) And continuous wave gain values (hereinafter abbreviated as CW Gain), etc., and these are numerical values. Therefore, in order to display a list of candidate values on the display unit, reference values corresponding to the candidate values are displayed on the display unit. It is common to display a list and select one of the reference values displayed in the list.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for selecting a reference value of a function setting value that is a numerical value. B / W Gain, CDI Gain, PW Gain, CW Gain, etc. are displayed side by side in the function list display field 302 of the function selection screen 301. Among these, when CDI Gain is selected, a plurality of reference values 1 to 9 corresponding to the candidate value are displayed in the selection candidate list display column 401 for function setting, so one of these reference values is selected. Sets the CDI Gain.
JP 10-305034 A

  However, when setting function setting values with the above-described conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the number of candidate values to be prepared increases when the function setting value is a numerical value, so that the apparatus is not accustomed to selecting an appropriate value. There was a problem that a longer operator required more time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional apparatus, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily setting function setting values even for an operator unfamiliar with the apparatus. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention scans a subject with ultrasonic waves, and generates an image of the subject based on the obtained echo signal. A plurality of reference values corresponding to the values are displayed in a list on the display unit, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows the operator to select one of the reference values displayed as a list and set the function setting value In
Counting means for counting the frequency at which the reference value is selected for each reference value;
Storage means for storing the frequency of each reference value counted by the counting means as usage frequency information of the function setting value;
Editing means for editing the usage frequency information stored in the storage means into a diagram or table;
Image display control means for displaying the figure or table edited by the editing means on a display screen of the display unit in which the reference values are listed.
It is characterized by having.
With this configuration, the usage frequency information of the function setting values is edited in the figure or table and displayed on the display screen of the display section where the reference values are listed, so the actual value edited in the figure or table is used as a guide. Appropriate function setting values can be selected, so that even an operator unfamiliar with the apparatus can easily set the function setting values.

Moreover, the editing means of the present invention is characterized in that the relationship between the reference value and its use frequency is edited in a graph.
With this configuration, it is possible to visually convey the usage frequency of the function setting value to the operator.

The use frequency information of the present invention is stored in the storage means in association with the skill level of the operator, and the editing means visually shows the relationship between the reference value and the use frequency according to the skill level of the operator. It is characterized by editing into a graph that can be distinguished from each other.
With this configuration, it is possible to distinguish the usage frequency of the function setting value together with the degree of skill.

Further, the present invention scans a subject with ultrasonic waves, and generates a plurality of references corresponding to function setting value candidate values related to diagnosis contents when generating an image of the subject based on an obtained echo signal. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which values are displayed in a list on a display unit and an operator can select one of the reference values displayed in a list and set the function setting value
Storage means for acquiring information associated with the reference value and doctor name selected by at least one skilled doctor from the outside, and storing the information in advance as function setting value use information;
Editing means for editing the function setting value use information stored in the storage means into a diagram or table;
Image display control means for displaying a figure or table edited by the editing means on a display screen of the display unit in which the reference values are listed.
It is characterized by having.
With this configuration, it is possible to select appropriate function setting values based on the usage information of highly skilled doctors who are using other devices, so that even an operator unfamiliar with the device can set the functions. The value can be easily set.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to select an appropriate function setting value based on the actual value edited in the figure or table or the usage information of a highly skilled doctor, so that it is not familiar to the apparatus. Even an operator can easily set function setting values.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a system control unit 101 scans a subject with ultrasound, such as an ultrasound transmission / reception circuit, a DSC circuit, and its control circuit (not shown), and generates an image of the subject based on the obtained echo signal. In addition to the above-described elements, the memory 105 and the calculation unit 110 that are particularly related to the present invention are included. The console 102, the display unit 103, and the probe 104 are connected to the system control unit 101. Has been. Here, the memory 105 stores function setting value use frequency information 106, which is the number of times of selection of a plurality of reference values corresponding to function setting value candidate values, and user management information 108 used for operator authentication. The calculation unit 110 includes a counter 111 as a counting unit that counts the frequency at which a reference value corresponding to a candidate value of a function setting value is selected, and a graph drawing unit as an editing unit that edits the function setting value use frequency information 106 into a graph. 112. The console 102 has a function of returning the operation state of the apparatus to an initial state by a preset button 114, a function of selecting a desired item by the trackball 115, a function of inputting an operator's ID information, and a function of inputting a password. ing. The display unit 103 is connected to the system control unit 101 via the image display control unit 109, and the image display control unit 109 displays a list of a plurality of reference values corresponding to function setting value candidate values on the display unit 103. And has a function of displaying a graph of usage frequency information edited by the graph drawing unit 112 on the display screen.

  The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below. The probe 104 is controlled to scan the subject with ultrasonic waves, and based on the obtained echo signal, Since various kinds of points for generating an image have been proposed and are well known, description thereof will be omitted, and a setting operation of function setting values related to the present invention will be described.

  First, when the operator inputs the password and the operator's own ID information using the console 102, the apparatus is activated. At this time, the ID information is stored in the memory 105 as user management information 108. Next, when a preset button 114 provided on the console 102 is pressed, a preset menu screen 201 as shown in FIG. Here, the operator selects a desired function item on the preset menu screen 201 using, for example, the trackball 115 of the console 102. This function item is the B / W Gain, CDI Gain, PW Gain, CW described above. If Gain is included, a function list display field 302 is displayed on the function selection screen 301 as shown in FIG. When the operator selects, for example, “CDI Gain” from among the B / W Gain, CDI Gain, PW Gain, and CW Gain displayed in the function list display field 302 using the trackball 115, it is shown in FIG. As described above, a plurality of reference values 1, 2, 3,... 9 corresponding to the candidate values of “CDI Gain” are displayed in the selection candidate list display column 401 for function setting. In this state, when the operator selects any one of the reference values 1, 2, 3,... 9 using the trackball 115, the CDI Gain corresponding to the selected reference value is set. .

  Each time the CDI Gain is set in this way, the selection frequency of the selected reference value is counted by the counter 111, and the frequency for each reference value as the function setting value use frequency information 106 stored in the memory 105 is calculated. Updated. The function set value usage frequency information 106 is stored in association with the operator ID information stored in the user management information 108. In the second and subsequent times when this setting operation is repeated, the graph drawing unit 112 edits the selection frequency for each reference value into a graph. The image display control unit 109 displays the edited function setting value usage frequency graph 402 on the function selection screen 301 together with the selection candidate list display field 401 for function setting. Note that the function setting value usage frequency graph 402 shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where the CDI Gain setting operation is performed many times. Since this function setting value usage frequency graph 402 can be used as a guideline for setting CDI Gain, it is possible to select an optimal value, so that even an operator unfamiliar with the apparatus can easily set the function setting value. .

  In the above embodiment, the actual value of the selection operation is edited in a graph regardless of the skill level of the operator. However, the skill level of the operator is added to the ID information stored in the user management information 108 and stored. By doing so, it is possible to edit and display the graph visually distinguished according to the skill level. In this case, the counter 111 counts the selection frequency of the reference value for each skill level and stores it in the memory 105 as the function setting value use frequency information 106 for each skill level, and the graph drawing unit 112, for example, has a high skill level. The graph is edited into two types of graphs of different colors for the operator and the less skilled operator, and the image display control unit 109 displays these graphs as a function setting value usage frequency graph 402.

  In this way, the usage frequency information is stored in association with the skill level of the operator, and edited and displayed in a graph that can visually distinguish the relationship between the reference value and the usage frequency according to the skill level. The frequency of use of the function setting value can be discriminated along with the degree of.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same elements as those of FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the counter 111 constituting the first embodiment is removed, and the function setting value used by a skilled doctor is used instead of the function setting value use frequency information 106 of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the information 107 is stored in the memory 105. In this case, the function setting value use information 107 of the skilled doctor is obtained directly from the external memory 113 or via the Internet, and the reference value and doctor name selected by a plurality of skilled doctors are stored in the external memory 113. The associated information is stored.

  The operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below with a focus on differences from the first embodiment in particular. In the external memory 113, function setting value use setting information when an experienced doctor makes an ultrasonic diagnosis using the same type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus other than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which the present invention is applied is stored in association with the doctor name. Has been. The system control unit 101 takes in information stored in the external memory 113 directly or via the Internet, and stores it in the memory 105 as function setting value use information 107 of a skilled doctor. The graph drawing unit 112 edits the graph so that it can be understood which range of reference values are used among the reference values of the CDI Gain for each doctor. When the operator uses the trackball 115 to select “CDI Gain”, as shown in FIG. 6, the selection candidate list display field 401 for function setting displays a candidate value for “CDI Gain”. A plurality of corresponding reference values 1, 2, 3,... 9 are displayed. In this state, the image display control unit 109 displays the graph edited by the graph drawing unit 112 on a screen having a selection candidate list display field 401 for function setting. Therefore, the operator refers to the function setting value use information graph 501 of a skilled doctor, and uses the trackball 115 to select one of the reference values in the selection candidate list display column 401 for function setting that seems to be optimal. To do.

  In this way, according to the second embodiment, the most suitable reference value can be selected by storing the function setting value use information 107 of a skilled doctor in the memory 105, so that the user is not accustomed to the apparatus. Even a simple operator can easily set function setting values. In the second embodiment, as shown in the function setting value usage information graph 501 of skilled doctors, the function setting value usage information of five doctors is acquired and graphed. The number is not limited to five, but may be smaller or larger.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the function setting value usage frequency information 106 or the function setting value usage information 107 of a skilled doctor is edited into a graph. Good.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, in each function setting, the usage frequency information for each apparatus or the function setting value usage information of a skilled doctor is edited in a figure or a table, and the reference values are displayed in a list. Since it is displayed on the display screen of the display unit at the same time, it is possible to select function setting values using the diagram or table as a guideline, so even an operator unfamiliar with the device can easily set function setting values. It is useful for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that involves setting numerical values as operating conditions.

The block diagram which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. Example of preset menu screen for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention Example of function selection screen for explaining the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention In order to explain the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention, an example of a function selection screen displaying a function set value usage frequency graph The block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. In order to explain the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention, an example of a function selection screen displaying a function setting value usage information graph of a skilled doctor Example of function setting screen in conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 System control part 102 Operation console 103 Display part 104 Probe 105 Memory (memory | storage means)
106 Function set value use frequency information 107 Function set value use information of a skilled doctor 108 User management information 109 Image display control unit 110 Calculation unit 111 Counter (counting means)
112 Graph drawing unit (editing means)
113 External Memory 114 Preset Button 115 Trackball 201 Preset Menu Screen 301 Function Selection Screen 302 Function List Display Field 401 Selection Candidate List Display Field for Function Setting 402 Function Setting Value Usage Frequency Graph 501 Function Setting Value Usage Information for Skilled Doctors Graph

Claims (4)

When the subject is scanned with ultrasonic waves and an image of the subject is generated based on the obtained echo signal, a plurality of reference values corresponding to the candidate values of the function setting values related to the diagnostic contents are listed on the display unit. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows an operator to select one of the reference values displayed in a list and set the function setting value
Counting means for counting the frequency at which the reference value is selected for each reference value;
Storage means for storing the frequency of each reference value counted by the counting means as usage frequency information of the function setting value;
Editing means for editing the usage frequency information stored in the storage means into a diagram or table;
Image display control means for displaying the figure or table edited by the editing means on a display screen of the display unit in which the reference values are listed.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit edits a relationship between the reference value and a frequency of use thereof in a graph.   The usage frequency information is stored in the storage means in association with the skill level of the operator, and the editing means visually distinguishes the relationship between the reference value and the usage frequency according to the skill level of the operator. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is edited into a graph to be obtained. When the subject is scanned with ultrasonic waves and an image of the subject is generated based on the obtained echo signal, a plurality of reference values corresponding to the candidate values of the function setting values related to the diagnostic contents are listed on the display unit. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows an operator to select one of the reference values displayed in a list and set the function setting value
Storage means for acquiring information associated with the reference value and doctor name selected by at least one skilled doctor from the outside, and storing the information in advance as function setting value use information;
Editing means for editing the function setting value use information stored in the storage means into a diagram or table;
Image display control means for displaying a figure or table edited by the editing means on a display screen of the display unit in which the reference values are listed.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: