JP5129550B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that sets a three-dimensional region of interest surrounding a diagnosis target.

  The ultrasound diagnostic device collects a plurality of echo data from the space including the in-vivo tissue and the diagnosis target such as fetus and tumor, and based on the plurality of echo data, an ultrasonic image such as a tomographic image or a three-dimensional image Can be formed. In general, an ultrasonic image includes an image of a part other than a diagnosis target. Therefore, for example, a region of interest (ROI) surrounding the diagnosis target is set in the ultrasonic image for the purpose of improving the accuracy of the process of extracting only the diagnosis target. Conventionally, various techniques relating to setting of a region of interest have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of cross sections are set in a three-dimensional space, and the region of interest drawn on the image of each cross section is approximated by a polygon. And a technique for forming a three-dimensional region of interest by laminating these polygons is described.

  In Patent Document 2, the position of the center of gravity of the reference ROI set in the two-dimensional tomographic image data is detected, and the position of the center of gravity of the reference ROI is on a straight line in the direction perpendicular to the slice. A technology that translates image data evenly, sets a three-dimensional region by performing linear interpolation of the two-dimensional tomographic image data after translation, and then translates the two-dimensional tomographic image data to the original position. Is described.

JP-A-11-56841 JP 2006-87827 A

  As described above, several techniques for forming a three-dimensional region of interest by interpolating a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest have been proposed. Incidentally, the technique described in Patent Document 2 requires relatively complicated processing such as parallel translation of two-dimensional tomographic image data and further translation of two-dimensional tomographic image data to the original position. Yes.

  While various techniques related to the setting of a three-dimensional region of interest have been proposed, the inventor of the present application has conducted research and development on improved techniques related to the setting of a three-dimensional region of interest. In particular, we focused on the fusion of three-dimensional region-of-interest formation technology in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and morphing processing, which is one of image processing technologies.

  The present invention has been made in the course of research and development, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for setting a three-dimensional region of interest by using a morphing process.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a three-dimensional space including a diagnosis target, and controls the probe from within the three-dimensional space. Formed on the basis of a plurality of echo data, a transmission / reception unit for obtaining a plurality of echo data, a region of interest setting unit for setting a three-dimensional region of interest surrounding a diagnosis target in a three-dimensional data space composed of a plurality of echo data, and a plurality of echo data An image display unit that displays an ultrasonic image, wherein the region-of-interest setting unit sets a plurality of reference sections in a three-dimensional data space, and a two-dimensional region of interest for each of the plurality of reference sections. And a morphing process is performed on a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest set in a plurality of reference sections to form a three-dimensional region of interest.

  According to the above aspect, a three-dimensional region of interest is formed by performing a morphing process on a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest. For example, a three-dimensional region can be formed relatively easily as compared to a case where two-dimensional tomographic image data is evenly translated and then returned to the original position.

  In a preferred aspect, the region-of-interest setting unit arranges a plurality of reference cross sections in an example with the surfaces of two adjacent reference cross sections facing each other, spaced apart from each other, and set to two adjacent reference cross sections. A morphing process is performed on the two two-dimensional regions of interest, and a three-dimensional region that expands while gradually changing the shape from one of the two-dimensional regions of interest and connects to the shape of the other two-dimensional region of interest. By forming, a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest are connected together to form a three-dimensional region of interest.

  In a preferred aspect, the region-of-interest setting unit sets a point-like region of interest with respect to a reference cross section at an end of a plurality of reference cross sections arranged in a line in a three-dimensional data space.

  In a preferred aspect, the region-of-interest setting unit includes a plurality of points discretely arranged along the boundary of one two-dimensional region of interest and the other two-dimensional region of interest in a morphing process for two two-dimensional regions of interest. Identify a point-to-point correspondence between points that are discretely arranged along the boundary, and point from one position to the other of the two points in the correspondence By moving the two-dimensional region of interest, the two or more points arranged discretely along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest are moved as a whole, and the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest formed from the plurality of points is changed. Features.

  In a preferred aspect, the region-of-interest setting unit has, for each two-dimensional region of interest, a shape of the two-dimensional region of interest among a plurality of points discretely arranged along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest. Based on the selected designated point, an identification mark is set for each of the plurality of points with respect to each of the two-dimensional regions of interest. A point-to-point one-to-one correspondence relationship is specified by associating points corresponding to each other with a plurality of points in the two-dimensional region of interest.

  According to the present invention, a three-dimensional region of interest is formed using a morphing process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration thereof.

  The probe 10 is an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from a three-dimensional space including an object to be diagnosed. The diagnosis target in the present embodiment is, for example, a tissue in a living body, a cavity in the tissue, a blood flow, a fetus, a tumor, or the like. The probe 10 includes a plurality of vibration elements. The plurality of vibration elements, for example, are two-dimensionally arranged in a lattice shape and electronically controlled to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves three-dimensionally. Note that ultrasonic waves may be transmitted and received three-dimensionally by a combination of electronic control and mechanical control.

  The transmission / reception unit 12 outputs a transmission signal corresponding to each of the plurality of vibration elements included in the probe 10. The transmission / reception unit 12 applies a delay process or the like corresponding to the vibration element to the transmission signal of each vibration element. The transmission signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12 is supplied to each vibration element of the probe 10. That is, the transmission / reception unit 12 functions as a transmission beam former, and each vibration element vibrates in accordance with the transmission signal formed by the transmission / reception unit 12, thereby forming an ultrasonic transmission beam and scanning control of the transmission beam. The

  In addition, the transmission / reception unit 12 forms a reception beam based on reception signals obtained from a plurality of vibration elements included in the probe 10. The transmission / reception unit 12 performs a delay process or the like according to the vibration element on the reception signal of each vibration element, and adds the reception signals obtained from the plurality of vibration elements. That is, the transmission / reception unit 12 functions as a reception beam former, and, for example, by performing phasing addition processing on reception signals output from a plurality of vibration elements, an ultrasonic reception beam is formed, and scanning of the reception beam is controlled. The Thus, received beam data (echo data) along the received beam is collected from the entire area in the three-dimensional space.

  The ultrasonic image forming unit 14 forms image data of an ultrasonic image based on the reception beam data formed in the transmission / reception unit 12. For example, three-dimensional image data is formed based on received beam data obtained by three-dimensionally scanning an ultrasonic transmission beam. Of course, the ultrasonic image forming unit 14 may form image data such as a two-dimensional B-mode image.

  The display image processing unit 16 forms a display image based on the ultrasonic image (image data) formed in the ultrasonic image forming unit 14. Further, the display image processing unit 16 forms a display image, a user interface image, and the like corresponding to the apparatus state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Then, the display image formed in the display image processing unit 16 is displayed on the display unit 18.

  The three-dimensional ROI forming unit 20 sets a three-dimensional region of interest surrounding the object in the three-dimensional image data formed by the ultrasonic image forming unit 14. That is, the reference section setting unit 22 sets a plurality of reference sections in the three-dimensional data space, the two-dimensional ROI setting unit 24 sets a two-dimensional region of interest for each of the plurality of reference sections, and the morphing processing unit 26 Morphs a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest set in a plurality of reference sections to form a three-dimensional region of interest.

  Therefore, the setting process of the three-dimensional region of interest in the present embodiment will be described in detail below. 1 is used in the following description for the portion (configuration) already shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the setting process of the three-dimensional region of interest in the present embodiment. When 3D image data is formed by the ultrasonic image forming unit 14 (S201), a reference cross section is selected from a plurality of tomographic images constituting the 3D image data (S202). Then, a two-dimensional region of interest (two-dimensional ROI) is set for the selected reference cross section (S203).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining selection of a reference cross section and setting of a two-dimensional region of interest. In FIG. 3, a three-dimensional data space 40 including three-dimensional image data of an object is shown in an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The three-dimensional data space 40 is an aggregate of a plurality of XY planes, for example. Then, from the plurality of XY planes, the reference cross section setting unit 22 selects several reference cross sections. The reference cross-section setting unit 22 may select a reference cross-section according to a selection operation from the user, or may automatically select a reference cross-section at a predetermined interval by a predetermined number. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, five reference cross sections from cross section A to cross section E are set, with the faces facing each other and arranged in a line along the Z axis. The plurality of reference cross sections may be, for example, cross sections arranged in a line along the X axis or the Y axis. Further, the present invention is not limited to those in which all reference cross sections are parallel to each other.

  When the reference section is selected, the two-dimensional ROI setting unit 24 sets a two-dimensional region of interest (two-dimensional ROI) for each reference section. That is, the two-dimensional region of interest is set so as to surround the tomographic image of the object displayed in each reference section. The two-dimensional region of interest may be formed in an arbitrary shape by the user using, for example, a display image displaying each reference cross section, or a predetermined shape such as a circle or an ellipse may be selected.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which a two-dimensional region of interest is set in each of five reference cross sections from cross section A to cross section E. In each of the section B to the section D, a two-dimensional region of interest 52 having a shape close to a circle or an ellipse is set. On the other hand, a dotted region 54 is set in the cross section A and the cross section E. For example, the cross section A and the cross section E are set to positions where the tomographic image of the object disappears by moving the cross section in the Z-axis direction from the position of the cross section C near the center of the object. That is, the cross section A and the cross section E are cross sections set slightly outside from the end of the object, and a dotted area 54 is set as the end point of the region of interest at that position.

  Returning to FIG. 2, when the two-dimensional region of interest is set for each reference cross section (S203), it is confirmed whether the setting of the two-dimensional region of interest is completed (S204). If the setting of the two-dimensional region of interest has not been completed, the selection of the reference section (S202) and the setting of the two-dimensional region of interest for the reference section (S203) are repeated. When the setting of the two-dimensional region of interest is completed, that is, when all the reference cross sections are set and the two-dimensional region of interest is set for all the reference cross sections, the morphing processing unit 26 executes the morphing process (S205).

  The morphing processing unit 26 performs a morphing process on a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest set in a plurality of reference cross sections to form a three-dimensional region of interest (three-dimensional ROI). In other words, morphing processing is performed on two two-dimensional regions of interest set in two adjacent reference sections, and the other two-dimensional region of interest is expanded by gradually changing the shape from the shape of one two-dimensional region of interest. By forming a three-dimensional region connected to the shape of the region, a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest are connected together to form a three-dimensional region of interest.

  For example, the dotted area 54 of the cross section A shown in FIG. 3 and the two-dimensional region of interest 52 of the cross section B are three-dimensionally connected by the morphing process. The regions 52 are three-dimensionally connected by morphing processing. In this way, the point-like or two-dimensional regions of interest from the cross section A to the cross section E are connected one after another by the morphing process, and a three-dimensional region of interest surrounding the object is formed.

  In the morphing process, a plurality of points discretely arranged along the boundary of each two-dimensional region of interest are used. For example, after a two-dimensional region of interest is formed, a plurality of points are set discretely along the boundary. Alternatively, a two-dimensional region of interest may be formed by arranging a plurality of points in a discrete manner and then connecting the plurality of points by linear interpolation or spline interpolation.

  The morphing processing unit 26 specifies a point-to-point correspondence between a plurality of points in one two-dimensional region of interest and a plurality of points in the other two-dimensional region of interest. Then, by moving the point from one position of the two points in correspondence to the other position, a plurality of points arranged discretely along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest are moved as a whole. Thus, the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest formed from a plurality of points is changed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a one-to-one correspondence between points. In FIG. 4, a plurality of points from number 1 to number 14 are arranged along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest in the section C which is one of the reference sections. Also, a plurality of points from number 1 to number 14 are arranged along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest also in the section D which is one of the reference sections.

  For each two-dimensional region of interest, the morphing processing unit 26 selects a designated point based on the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest from among a plurality of points discretely arranged along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest. select. For example, the number 1 point located at the leftmost end of the two-dimensional region of interest is selected as the designated point from the plurality of points on the cross section C. Also, the number 1 point located at the leftmost end of the two-dimensional region of interest is selected as the designated point from the plurality of points on the cross section D.

  Then, the morphing processing unit 26 sets an identification mark for each of the plurality of points with the selected designated point as a reference. For example, for a plurality of points on the cross section C, numbers are set in order from the point of number 1 as the designated point in the clockwise direction. Also, numbers are set in order from the point of number 1 as the designated point in the clockwise direction for a plurality of points on the cross section D.

  Thus, the morphing processing unit 26 associates points having the same number with each other between the plurality of points in the two-dimensional region of interest in the cross section C and the plurality of points in the two-dimensional region of interest in the cross section D. And a one-to-one correspondence between points.

  The designated point may be selected at a position other than the left end of the two-dimensional region of interest, or the order of each point may be set counterclockwise. The designated point, the number of each point, the total number of points, etc. may be designated by the user.

  When the one-to-one correspondence between the points is specified, the point is moved from one position of the two corresponding points to the other position in the three-dimensional data space (reference numeral 40 in FIG. 3). The For example, using a interpolation process or the like, a path connecting from the position of one point to the position of the other point is formed in the three-dimensional data space, and the point is moved along the path. For example, the number 1 point moves from the position of the number 1 point of the cross section C to the position of the number 1 point of the cross section D in the three-dimensional data space. Similarly, each of a plurality of points from number 2 to number 14 moves from the position of the cross section C to the position of the cross section D in the three-dimensional data space.

  Thus, the plurality of points are moved from the position of the cross section C to the position of the cross section D, and the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest formed from the plurality of points is changed. That is, the morphing process is executed so that the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest of the cross section D is gradually changed from the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest of the cross section C as the point moves, and the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest of the cross section D is connected.

  FIG. 4 illustrates only the cross-section C and the cross-section D. However, even between two adjacent reference cross-sections, a point is changed from one position of two corresponding points to the other position. By moving, the plurality of points arranged discretely along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest are moved as a whole, and the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest formed from the plurality of points is changed.

  When changing the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest from the cross section A to the cross section B, for example, the point-like region of interest of the cross section A and each of the plurality of points at the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest of the cross section B Associate. That is, the morphing process is performed by associating a plurality of points on the cross section B with one point on the cross section A. Similarly, between the cross section D and the cross section E, for example, a plurality of points on the cross section D are associated with one point on the cross section E to perform the morphing process.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the three-dimensional region of interest formed by the morphing process. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a cubic region of interest and a two-dimensional region of interest set in each of the cross sections A to E shown in FIG. In the original data space 40, a three-dimensional three-dimensional region of interest 50 is formed so as to surround a three-dimensional object.

  Returning to FIG. 2, when a three-dimensional region of interest is formed by the morphing processing unit 26 (S205), an object is extracted from the three-dimensional region of interest (S206). For example, the binarization process is performed on the echo data in the three-dimensional region of interest to identify the object and the other tissue. Then, a three-dimensional image of the extracted object is formed (S207). For example, the ultrasonic image forming unit 14 performs volume rendering processing on the three-dimensional image data, and forms a three-dimensional image in which the object is three-dimensionally projected. Further, the ultrasonic image forming unit 14 may form a tomographic image of the object from the three-dimensional image data. Then, the display image processing unit 16 forms a display image including a three-dimensional image and a tomographic image of the object (S208).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image. The display image shown in FIG. 6 includes tomographic images 62, 64, and 66, which are two-dimensional B-mode images, and a three-dimensional image 68 obtained by volume rendering processing.

  The tomographic images 62, 64, and 66 are, for example, three orthogonal cross sections orthogonal to each other, and each includes a tomographic image of an object. In each of the tomographic images 62, 64, 66, the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional region of interest 50 surrounding the object is also displayed. The user (inspector) confirms whether or not the three-dimensional region of interest 50 appropriately surrounds the object, for example, by looking at the three-dimensional region of interest 50 displayed in the tomographic images 62, 64, and 66. Can do.

  The three-dimensional image 68 is an image that displays an object three-dimensionally. In FIG. 6, the three-dimensional region of interest 50 is not displayed in the three-dimensional image 68. However, the three-dimensional region of interest 50 represented in a three-dimensional manner in the three-dimensional image 68 may be displayed in accordance with, for example, a user operation.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

1 is a functional block diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting process of a three-dimensional region of interest. It is a figure for demonstrating selection of a reference section and setting of a two-dimensional region of interest. It is a figure for demonstrating the one-to-one correspondence of a point. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional region of interest. It is a figure which shows an example of a display image.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Probe, 12 Transmission / reception part, 14 Ultrasonic image formation part, 20 Three-dimensional ROI formation part, 22 Reference | standard cross-section setting part, 24 Two-dimensional ROI setting part, 26 Morphing processing part.

Claims (3)

A probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a three-dimensional space including a diagnostic object;
A transmitter / receiver that controls the probe to obtain a plurality of echo data from within the three-dimensional space;
A region-of-interest setting unit for setting a three-dimensional region of interest surrounding a diagnosis target in a three-dimensional data space composed of a plurality of echo data;
An image display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image formed based on a plurality of echo data;
Have
The region of interest setting unit
Set multiple reference sections in the 3D data space,
Set a two-dimensional region of interest for each of a plurality of reference sections ,
Morphing is performed on two two-dimensional regions of interest set in two adjacent reference sections, and the shape of one two-dimensional region of interest is expanded while gradually changing its shape to expand the other two-dimensional region of interest. By forming a three-dimensional region connected to the shape, a plurality of two-dimensional regions of interest set in a plurality of reference cross sections are connected together to form a three-dimensional region of interest .
In the morphing process for two two-dimensional regions of interest ,
For each two-dimensional region of interest, select a specified point based on the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest from among a plurality of points that are discretely arranged along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest.
For each two-dimensional region of interest, an identification mark is set for each of a plurality of points based on the selected designated point,
A point-to-point correspondence between a plurality of points in one two-dimensional region of interest and a plurality of points in the other two-dimensional region of interest by associating the points with corresponding identification marks to identify,
By moving the point from one position of the two corresponding points to the other position, the plurality of points arranged discretely along the boundary of the two-dimensional region of interest are moved as a whole, Changing the shape of the two-dimensional region of interest formed from multiple points,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The region-of-interest setting unit arranges a plurality of reference cross sections in an example at an interval from each other with the surfaces of two adjacent reference cross sections facing each other .
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The region-of-interest setting unit sets a dotted region of interest with respect to a reference cross section at an end of a plurality of reference cross-sections arranged in a line in a three-dimensional data space.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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