JP5317395B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic image display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method, and in particular, generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image for a three-dimensional region where an insertion member such as a puncture needle is inserted in a subject, and the generated ultrasonic diagnosis The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for displaying an image.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave to a three-dimensional region of the subject and receives an ultrasonic wave reflected by the three-dimensional region of the subject, based on an echo signal obtained based on the echo signal 3 A tomographic image of a tomographic plane in the three-dimensional region is generated and displayed on the display surface. Since this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can display a tomographic image in real time with respect to the scan, it is widely used particularly in the medical field such as fetal examination and heart examination.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has various modes such as a B mode, an M mode, and a doppler mode as display modes. The B mode is a mode for generating and displaying a B-mode image by intensity-modulating the intensity of an echo signal obtained when a subject is scanned, and is used, for example, when photographing an organ. The M mode is a mode in which one sound ray in the B mode image is displayed in time series, and is used, for example, when photographing a motion of a moving organ such as a heart valve. The Doppler mode is a mode that uses the Doppler effect in which the frequency of the echo signal shifts in proportion to the moving speed of the moving body when the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the moving body. Information such as moving speed is imaged and displayed superimposed on the B-mode image.

  As described above, since this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can generate a tomographic image of an arbitrary tomographic plane in real time, it is used as a monitoring means when performing puncture. For example, when a part of tumor cells is collected using a puncture needle, the puncture needle is inserted into a subject while observing an ultrasonic diagnostic image. In this case, what is called a puncture probe is used. Examples of the puncture probe include a biopsy type and an adapter type. For example, puncture is performed by inserting a puncture needle through a through hole (see Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3). .

JP 2004-129976 A JP 2004-298476 A JP-A-10-57376

  When performing puncture, it is necessary to insert the puncture needle so as to correspond to the scan section. However, since it is difficult to insert the puncture needle so as to correspond to the scan cross section, it may be difficult to puncture a puncture target such as a tumor in the subject with high accuracy. For this reason, it was not easy to perform puncture efficiently.

  As described above, when an insertion member such as a puncture needle is inserted into a subject, it is difficult for an operator to perform an insertion operation with high accuracy, and thus the diagnosis efficiency may be reduced.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic image that are easy for an operator to perform a high-precision insertion operation when inserting an insertion member into a subject, and that can improve diagnostic efficiency. To provide a display method.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic diagnostic image generated for a three-dimensional region in which an insertion member is inserted in a subject. A scan unit that acquires an echo signal by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a three-dimensional region and receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by the three-dimensional region; and the scan unit is acquired by performing the scan An image generation unit that generates the ultrasonic diagnostic image based on the echo signal; and a display unit that displays the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit on a display surface, the image generation unit Generates a tomographic image of a tomographic plane in which the insertion direction in which the insertion member is inserted in the three-dimensional region is a perpendicular line as the ultrasonic diagnostic image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image generated for a three-dimensional region into which an insertion member is inserted in a subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic image is generated based on an echo signal generated by performing a scan that transmits ultrasonic waves to the three-dimensional region and receives ultrasonic waves reflected in the three-dimensional region. An ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step; and a display step for displaying the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step on a display surface. In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, the three-dimensional region A tomographic image of a tomographic plane in which the insertion direction in which the insertion member is inserted is perpendicular is generated as the ultrasonic diagnostic image.

  According to the present invention, it is easy for an operator to perform an insertion operation with high accuracy when inserting an insertion member into a subject, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method capable of improving diagnostic efficiency. Can be provided.

<Embodiment 1>
(apparatus)
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in Embodiment 1 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this embodiment has an ultrasonic probe 31, an operation console 32, and a display unit 41, and a puncture needle N is inserted as an insertion member in a subject. An ultrasonic diagnostic image is generated for the three-dimensional region, and the generated ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed. Each part will be described sequentially.

  First, the ultrasonic probe 31 will be described.

  The ultrasonic probe 31 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown). This ultrasonic vibrator is made of, for example, a piezoelectric material such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate) ceramics, converts an electric signal into a sound wave and transmits it, and converts a received sound wave into an electric signal. And output as an echo signal. Here, the ultrasonic probe 31 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer into the subject so as to correspond to the drive signal from the transmission / reception unit 321 based on the control signal output from the control unit 324 in the operation console 32. The echo signal is obtained by performing a scan in which the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject to which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted is received by the ultrasonic transducer. Then, the echo signal is output to the transmission / reception unit 321.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 31 is a so-called 4D probe. That is, in the ultrasonic probe 31, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are evenly arranged in the column direction, and the surface on which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged comes into contact with the surface of the three-dimensional region to be imaged in the subject. Have been used. Then, scanning that sequentially transmits ultrasonic waves from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in the column direction to the subject is performed by an electronic method. Then, this electronic scanning is performed in a row direction orthogonal to the column direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged on the surface where the three-dimensional region of the subject and the ultrasonic probe 31 are in contact with each other. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers are moved by a mechanical method, and are sequentially repeated at the moved positions. In this way, the ultrasonic probe 31 repeatedly transmits a plurality of times along the time axis to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the three-dimensional region of the subject and receive the ultrasonic wave reflected in the three-dimensional region. The echo signal is generated by, and the volume data is acquired so as to correspond to the time axis.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing the ultrasonic probe 31 in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a puncture jig 311 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 31 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the puncture jig 311 has a through hole 312 into which the puncture needle N is inserted. The puncture needle N is moved along the through hole 312 and inserted into the subject. An insertion distance measuring unit 313 for measuring the distance is provided. For example, the insertion distance measuring unit 313 includes a rotary encoder including a roller that contacts the puncture needle N, and the number of rotations of the roller rotated by the movement of the puncture needle N will be described later as the distance inserted into the subject. The position information is output to the position information output unit 326. The insertion distance measuring unit 313 may include an optical sensor, and may be configured to measure the distance inserted into the subject by reading and counting the scale provided on the puncture needle N with the optical sensor. . In addition, a configuration in which a magnetic sensor is attached to the puncture needle, the movement of the puncture needle is detected, and the insertion amount of the puncture needle is measured from the detection result.

  The operation console 32 will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operation console 32 includes a transmission / reception unit 321, an image generation unit 322, a storage unit 323, a control unit 324, an operation unit 325, and a position information output unit 326. Each part of the operation console 32 includes a data processing device, and performs various data processing. Each part of the operation console 32 will be described sequentially.

  The transmission / reception unit 321 includes a transmission / reception circuit that causes the ultrasonic probe 31 to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves, and causes the ultrasonic probe 31 to transmit ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer to the subject based on a control signal from the control unit 324, An echo signal is generated by receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject with an ultrasonic transducer. For example, the transmission / reception unit 321 acquires an echo signal by switching and driving the positions of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic probe 31 so as to move and scan the ultrasonic beam with respect to the subject. The echo signal is subjected to processing such as amplification, delay, and addition, and is output to the image generation unit 322.

  Based on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasound probe 31, the image generation unit 322 generates an ultrasound diagnostic image for the region of the subject that has been scanned. The image generation unit 322 is controlled by the control unit 324 so as to correspond to the command input to the operation unit 325, and displays a tomographic image of a tomographic plane included in the scanned region of the subject, for example, in the B mode. Generate images and Doppler images. Specifically, the image generation unit 322 includes a logarithmic amplifier and an envelope detector, and detects the envelope after logarithmically amplifying the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 321. Thereafter, predetermined data processing is performed on the data to calculate the intensity of the echo from each reflection point on the sound ray, and then the intensity is converted into a luminance value to generate a B-mode image. In addition, the image generation unit 322 includes a quadrature detector and a Doppler power calculator, performs quadrature detection of the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 321, executes MTI processing, and performs quadrature detection of the in-phase component and quadrature component. By calculating, a Doppler power value is obtained and a Doppler image is generated. The image generation unit 322 is connected to the storage unit 323 and outputs the tomographic image generated as described above to the storage unit 323.

  In the present embodiment, the image generation unit 322 generates an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the volume data acquired for the three-dimensional region of the subject by performing the scan. Here, the image generation unit 322 sequentially generates ultrasonic diagnostic images so as to be real time with respect to the insertion of the puncture needle N.

  Specifically, the image generation unit 322 generates a tomographic image of a tomographic plane in which the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject is a perpendicular line as the ultrasonic diagnostic image. Although details will be described later, the image generation unit 322 inserts the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326. The first tomographic plane corresponding to the portion where the puncture needle N is located is identified in the tomographic plane arranged in a row, and a tomographic image for the identified first tomographic plane is generated as a first tomographic image. That is, an MPR image is generated by selecting data corresponding to the first tomographic plane from the volume data, and the generated MPR image is set as the first tomographic image. In addition, here, the image generation unit 322 specifies the portion where the puncture needle N is located on the first tomographic plane based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326. After that, a first insertion position image indicating the position of the puncture needle N is synthesized with the pixel region corresponding to the portion specified in the first tomographic image.

  At the same time, the image generation unit 322 is arranged in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326. On the tomographic plane, a second tomographic image of the second tomographic plane aligned with the first tomographic plane in the insertion direction is generated as the tomographic image. For example, the image generation unit 322 inserts the puncture needle N in the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in the three-dimensional region based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326. A second tomographic image is generated by setting the surface aligned with the first tomographic surface in the traveling direction as the second tomographic surface. That is, an MPR image is generated by selecting data corresponding to the second tomographic plane from the volume data, and the generated MPR image is set as the second tomographic image. Also, here, the image generation unit 322 is based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326 in the traveling direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the second tomographic plane. After specifying the portion corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle N, a second insertion position image indicating the position of the puncture needle N is displayed in the pixel area corresponding to the specified portion in the second tomographic image. Synthesize.

  In addition, the image generation unit 322 identifies a portion corresponding to a preset position where the puncture needle N is inserted on the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject. After that, an insertion guide image for synthesizing the position at which the preset puncture needle N is inserted into the pixel region corresponding to the specified portion in the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image is synthesized. .

  As described above, the image generation unit 322 generates the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image as a tomographic image. Here, the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image are generated so as to correspond to the distance between the tomographic planes set by the tomographic plane distance setting unit 324a included in the control unit 324 described later.

  In addition to this, the image generation unit 322 converts the insertion tomographic image of the tomographic plane along the insertion direction in the three-dimensional region of the subject into which the puncture needle N is inserted into the ultrasonic wave. Generate as a diagnostic image. In addition, here, it corresponds to a surface into which the puncture needle N is inserted in a three-dimensional region of the subject, and a preset position where the puncture needle N is inserted in a tomographic plane along the insertion direction. After the portion is specified, an insertion guide image for synthesizing the position where the preset puncture needle N is inserted into the pixel region corresponding to the specified portion in the insertion tomographic image is synthesized.

  The storage unit 323 is configured to include, for example, a cine memory and an HDD, and stores image data of an ultrasound diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit 322. The storage unit 323 is connected to the image generation unit 322, and based on an instruction from the control unit 324, a plurality of tomographic images generated by the image generation unit 322 are temporarily stored in a cine memory as moving images including a plurality of frames. To remember. Thereafter, the moving image is output from the cine memory to the HDD and stored. For example, the storage unit 323 stores a moving image including frames for 2 minutes in a cine memory, and outputs the moving image of frames for 2 minutes to the HDD for storage. The cine memory of the storage unit 323 is connected to the display unit 41, and the tomographic image data of each frame stored in the cine memory is output to the display unit 41 in real time and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 41. Similarly, the HDD of the storage unit 323 is connected to the display unit 41, and the tomographic image data of each frame stored as a moving image by the HDD is displayed based on a command input to the operation unit 325 by the operator. Is output to the unit 41 and reproduced and displayed on the display screen.

  The control unit 324 includes, for example, a computer and a program that causes the computer to execute predetermined data processing. Based on the operation signal from the operation unit 325, the control unit 324 gives a control signal to each unit and controls the operation of each unit.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 324 includes a tomographic plane distance setting unit 324a. The tomographic plane distance setting unit 324a is configured such that the image generating unit 322 includes the first tomographic image, the second tomographic image, and the like on the tomographic plane arranged in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject. Set the distance between the tomographic planes that generate each. Here, a set value related to the distance between the tomographic planes is input to the operation unit 325 by the operator, and the tomographic plane distance setting unit 324a sends a control signal to the image generating unit so as to correspond to the input set value. It outputs to 322.

  The operation unit 325 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a track ball, a foot switch, and a voice input device, for example. The operation unit 325 receives operation information from the operator and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 324 based on the operation information.

  The position information output unit 326 outputs information about the tip position of the puncture needle N inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject when scanning is performed. Here, the position information output unit 326 inserts the puncture needle N into the subject when the puncture needle N is moved along the through-hole 312 in the puncture jig 311 attached to the ultrasonic probe 31. Information about the tip position of the puncture needle N is calculated based on the result of measurement by the insertion distance measurement unit 313 and output to the image generation unit 322 Do

  The display unit 41 will be described.

  The display unit 41 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having a flat display screen and a DSC (Digital Scan Converter), and displays an image on the display screen. Specifically, the display unit 41 is connected to the storage unit 323, and the DSC converts the image frame data stored in the cine memory of the storage unit 323 into a display signal based on a command from the control unit 324. Then, the LCD sequentially displays on the display surface. The display unit 41 is connected to the HDD of the storage unit 323, receives image data stored in the HDD based on a command input to the operation unit 325 by an operator, and displays the image on the display screen. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 41 displays the tomographic image generated as the ultrasonic diagnostic image by the image generation unit 322 so that it becomes real time with respect to the insertion of the puncture needle N. Specifically, the display unit 41 displays the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image generated as the tomographic image by the image generating unit 322 side by side on the display surface.

(Operation)
Hereinafter, an operation when performing puncturing using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when puncturing is performed in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the position of the puncture target in the subject is specified (S11).

  Here, the ultrasonic probe 31 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer to the three-dimensional region of the subject, and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the three-dimensional region to which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer. An echo signal is generated by performing a scan. Then, based on the echo signal, for example, after the B-mode image is sequentially generated as a tomographic image by the ultrasonic image generation unit 322, the display unit 41 sequentially displays the B-mode image. Then, the operator observes the displayed B-mode image, and specifies the position of a puncture target such as a tumor existing in the subject.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, an insertion tomographic image is displayed for a tomographic plane along the insertion direction of the plane into which the puncture needle N is inserted (S21).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an insertion tomographic image displayed in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, here, based on the positional information of the puncture target OBJ specified as described above, a surface into which the puncture needle N is inserted and a tomographic plane along the insertion direction is shown. The image generation unit 322 identifies and generates an MPR image corresponding to the tomographic plane based on the echo signal, and sets it as the insertion tomographic image MS. And based on the position information of the puncture target specified as described above, the surface into which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject, and the tomographic plane along the insertion direction, After the portion corresponding to the position where the preset puncture needle N is inserted is specified, the position where the preset puncture needle N is inserted into the pixel region corresponding to the specified portion in the insertion tomographic image MS Is inserted into the insertion guide image GS1. That is, a line connecting a point at which the puncture needle N starts to be inserted in the subject and a point reaching the puncture target OBJ with a straight line is synthesized as an insertion guide image GS1 at a corresponding position in the insertion tomographic image MS. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 41 displays the insertion tomographic image MS in which the insertion guide image GS1 is combined on the display screen.

  Next, a puncture needle is inserted (S31).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the puncture needle is inserted in the insertion tomographic image in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, while the operator observes the insertion tomographic image MS displayed on the display screen of the display unit 41, the insertion guide image GS1 synthesized with the insertion tomographic image MS is added to the puncture needle N. The puncture needle N is inserted into the subject so that the puncture needle image NI showing

In the present embodiment, in addition to the insertion tomographic image MS, a tomographic image (orthogonal tomographic image) of a tomographic plane having a perpendicular insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject is punctured. The image generation unit 322 generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image so as to be real time with respect to the insertion of the needle N. Here, a tomographic image is generated so as to correspond to the distance between the tomographic planes set by the tomographic plane distance setting unit 324a included in the control unit 324. Then, the display unit 41 displays the tomographic image on the display screen.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tomographic image of a tomographic plane in which the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted is a vertical line in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  Here, first, the position information output unit 326 detects information about the tip position of the puncture needle N. Based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326, the puncture needle N is positioned on the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region. The image generation unit 322 specifies the first tomographic plane D1 corresponding to the portion to be processed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the tomographic planes D11 and D12 positioned at the distal end portion of the puncture needle N in the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted are specified as the first tomographic plane D1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the image generation unit 322 generates tomographic images I11 and II2 for the tomographic planes D11 and D12 specified as the first tomographic plane D1 as the first tomographic image I1. For example, an MPR image is generated by selecting, from the volume data, data corresponding to the tomographic planes D11 and D12 specified as the first tomographic plane D1, and the generated MPR image is referred to as the first tomographic image I1. To do.

  Here, based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326, the puncture needle N is positioned on the tomographic planes D11 and D12 specified as the first tomographic plane D1. In the tomographic images I11 and II2 generated as the first tomographic image I1 after the image generating unit 322 specifies the part to be performed, the position of the puncture needle N is set in the pixel region corresponding to the specified part. The images SS11 and SS12 shown are respectively synthesized as the first insertion position image SS1.

  Then, along with the generation of the first tomographic image I1, the second tomographic plane aligned with the first tomographic plane D1 in the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject. The image generation unit 322 generates a second tomographic image I2 for D2 as a tomographic image. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the tomographic planes arranged in the insertion direction in the three-dimensional region of the subject, the tomographic planes D21, D22, arranged in the first tomographic plane D1 in the traveling direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted. The image generation unit 322 specifies D23 as the second tomographic plane D2. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, in the same manner as the first tomographic image I1, tomographic images I21, I22, and I23 for the tomographic surfaces D21, D22, and D23 specified as the second tomographic surface D2 are generated. The unit 322 generates the second tomographic image I2. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, in the tomographic planes D21, D22, and D23 specified as the second tomographic plane D2 in the same direction as the first tomographic image I1, the puncture needle N is inserted in the traveling direction. After specifying the portion corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle N, in the tomographic images I21, I22, I23 generated as the second tomographic image I2, the puncture needle is placed in the pixel area corresponding to the specified portion. Each of the images SS21, SS22, and SS23 indicating the position of N is synthesized as a second insertion position image SS2.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it corresponds to a preset position where the puncture needle N is inserted on the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject. After the portion to be identified is specified, the operator sets the position where the preset puncture needle N is inserted into the pixel region corresponding to the specified portion in each of the first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2. The insertion guide images GS11, GS12, GS21, GS22, and GS23 to be guided are combined. For example, the insertion guide images GS11, GS12, GS21, GS22, and GS23 shown in a concentric shape are synthesized.

  The first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2 are sequentially generated by the image generation unit 322 so as to correspond to the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326, and the display unit 41 sequentially displays the first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2 on the display screen. Here, the display unit 41 performs display so that the insertion of the puncture needle N becomes real time. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 41 arranges the first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2 on the display surface so as to correspond to the direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted. indicate.

Then, while the operator observes each of the first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2 together with the insertion tomographic image MS displayed on the display screen of the display unit 41, the puncture needle N is used as a subject. Proceed with the insertion.

  Next, the puncture target is collected (S41).

  Here, after the operator confirms on the display screen that the puncture needle N has reached the puncture target OBJ, the puncture target is collected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a tomographic image of a tomographic plane having a perpendicular insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted in the three-dimensional region of the subject is generated and displayed as an ultrasound diagnostic image. Here, based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle N, the first tomographic plane D1 corresponding to the portion where the puncture needle N is located is specified in the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in the three-dimensional region. Then, the tomographic image for the specified first tomographic plane D1 is generated as the first tomographic image I1. In addition, after specifying the portion where the puncture needle N is located on the first tomographic plane D1, the first tomographic image I1 indicates the position of the puncture needle N in the pixel region corresponding to the specified portion. One insertion position image SS1 is synthesized. In addition, in the tomographic plane aligned in the insertion direction in the three-dimensional region, the plane aligned with the first tomographic plane D1 in the advancing direction in which the puncture needle is inserted is defined as the second tomographic plane D2. A second tomographic image I2 corresponding to the tomographic plane D2 is generated. Further, after specifying a portion corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle in the traveling direction in which the puncture needle is inserted in the second tomographic plane D2, the pixel corresponding to the specified portion in the second tomographic image I2 A second insertion position image SS2 indicating the position of the puncture needle N is combined with the area. Thereafter, the first tomographic image I1 and the second tomographic image I2 are displayed side by side on the display surface. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when an insertion member such as a puncture needle is inserted into the subject, the insertion operation can be easily corrected, so that the operator can easily perform the insertion operation with high accuracy. Therefore, the diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

<Embodiment 2>
Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a scanning operation performed when the puncture needle N is inserted into the subject in the second embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 7 shows that scanning is performed in the order of (a), (b), and (c).

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the scan operation performed when the puncture needle N is inserted into the subject is different from the first embodiment. For this reason, description is abbreviate | omitted about the overlapping location.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, puncture is performed in the three-dimensional region of the subject based on information about the tip position of the puncture needle N output by the position information output unit 326 included in the operation console 32. The ultrasonic probe 31 scans the first area A1 corresponding to the tip position of the needle N so that the sound ray density is higher in the three-dimensional area than in the second area A2 other than the first area A1. carry out. Specifically, the number of ultrasonic beams per unit area transmitted to the first area A1 corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle N in the three-dimensional area of the subject is other than the first area A1 in the three-dimensional area. The operation of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 31 to transmit ultrasonic waves is controlled so that the number of ultrasonic beams to be transmitted to the second region A2 is larger than the number per unit area. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the insertion of the puncture needle N is started, a region including the start position where the insertion of the puncture needle N is started in the subject is defined as a first region A1. The ultrasonic probe 31 performs scanning so that the first region A1 has a higher acoustic ray density in the three-dimensional region than the second region A2 other than the first region A1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the tip of the puncture needle N reaches between the start position and the puncture target OBJ, the subject includes a portion where the tip of the puncture needle N is located. The ultrasonic probe 31 performs scanning so that the region is a first region A1, and the first region A1 has a higher acoustic ray density in the three-dimensional region than the second region A2 other than the first region A1. To do. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the tip of the puncture needle N reaches the puncture target OBJ, an area including the portion of the subject where the tip of the puncture needle N has reached the puncture target OBJ Is the first region A1, and the ultrasonic probe 31 performs scanning so that the first region A1 has a higher sound ray density in the three-dimensional region than the second region A2 other than the first region A1. . Here, the scan may be performed so as to correspond to the above by changing the sweep speed for moving the position of the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe 31.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the scan performed when the puncture needle N is inserted into the subject is performed in the first region corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle N in the three-dimensional region of the subject. In the three-dimensional area, the sound ray density is higher than that in the second area other than the first area. For this reason, in the present embodiment, since a portion corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle N in the tomographic image can be generated with high resolution, it is easy for the operator to adjust the insertion operation with high accuracy. Therefore, diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

  In implementing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be employed.

  For example, a sensor is installed in the puncture jig 311 attached to the ultrasonic probe 31, and the position information output unit 326 calculates information about the tip position of the puncture needle N based on the detection result of the sensor, and the image Although it output to the production | generation part 322, it is not limited to this. For example, the operator reads the scale provided on the puncture needle N, calculates information about the tip position of the puncture needle N based on data input to the operation unit, and outputs the information to the image generation unit 322. May be.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in Embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the ultrasonic probe 31 in the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when puncturing is performed in the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an insertion tomographic image displayed in the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the puncture needle is inserted in the insertion tomographic image in the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tomographic image of a tomographic plane in which the insertion direction in which the puncture needle N is inserted is a vertical line in the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a scanning operation performed when the puncture needle N is inserted into the subject in the second embodiment according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

31 ... ultrasonic probe,
32 ... Operation console,
41 ... display section,
321... Transceiver unit,
322 ... an image generation unit,
323 ... storage unit,
324 ... control unit,
325 ... operation unit

Claims (18)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image generated for a three-dimensional region including a region where a puncture needle is inserted in a subject,
A scan unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave to the three-dimensional region and acquires an echo signal by performing a scan that receives the ultrasonic wave reflected in the three-dimensional region; and
An image generation unit that generates the ultrasonic diagnostic image based on the echo signal acquired by the scan unit performing the scan;
A display unit that displays the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit on a display surface;
The image generation section, to the cross-sectional layer images along the insertion path that will the three-dimensional region before Symbol needle Te odor is inserted, orthogonal tomographic image a line orthogonal to the insertion path and the insertion path the first insertion guide insertion tomographic image image were synthesized and a plurality of line indicating the position and generates as the ultrasonic diagnostic image, includes the line perpendicular to the front Symbol insertion path, said insertion path Generating a plurality of orthogonal tomographic images as the ultrasonic diagnostic image,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the display unit displays the inserted tomographic image and the plurality of orthogonal tomographic images side by side so as not to overlap the display surface. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The image generation unit generates, as the ultrasonic diagnostic image, an image obtained by combining the orthogonal tomographic image with a second insertion guide image that guides an operator at a position where the puncture needle is set in advance. Diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the second insertion guide image combined with the orthogonal tomographic image is shown in a circular shape. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A position information output unit that outputs information about a tip position of the puncture needle inserted in the three-dimensional region when the scan is performed;
The image generation unit is configured to generate a tomographic plane image corresponding to the orthogonal tomographic image arranged on the insertion path in the three-dimensional region based on information on the tip position of the puncture needle output by the position information output unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that identifies a first tomographic plane corresponding to a portion where the puncture needle is located and generates the tomographic image of the identified first tomographic plane as a first tomographic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
The image generation unit based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle that is output by the position information output unit, after identifying the portion where the puncture needle is positioned in the first slice plane, the first The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which synthesize | combines the 1st insertion position image which shows the position of the said puncture needle with the pixel area | region corresponding to the said specified part in the tomographic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
The image generation unit is configured to use the insertion path in the tomographic plane arranged on the insertion path in the three-dimensional region based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle output by the position information output unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates the tomographic image of the second tomographic plane aligned with the first tomographic plane as a second tomographic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the display unit displays the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image side by side so as not to overlap the display surface. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A tomographic plane distance setting unit for setting a distance between the tomographic planes;
The image generation unit may correspond to the distance between the tomographic planes set by the tomographic plane distance setting unit, or the plurality of orthogonal tomographic images, or the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image. An ultrasound diagnostic device that generates tomographic images. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle that is output by the position information output unit, the scan unit is configured such that the first region corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle in the three-dimensional region is the 3rd region. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs the scan so that the sound ray density is higher in a two-dimensional region than in the second region other than the first region. An ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image generated for a three-dimensional region including a region where a puncture needle is inserted in a subject,
Ultrasound diagnosis for generating an ultrasound diagnostic image based on an echo signal generated by performing a scan for transmitting an ultrasound wave to the three-dimensional region and receiving an ultrasound wave reflected in the three-dimensional region An image generation step;
A display step for displaying the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step on a display surface;
Wherein in the ultrasonic diagnostic image generating step, the cross-sectional layer images along the insertion path that will the three-dimensional region before Symbol needle Te odor is inserted, a line that is perpendicular to the insertion path and the insertion path wherein the first insertion guide insertion tomographic image image were synthesized and a plurality of lines indicating the position of the orthogonal tomographic image and generates as an ultrasonic diagnostic image, it includes the line perpendicular to the front Symbol insertion path, Generating a plurality of orthogonal tomographic images orthogonal to the insertion path as the ultrasound diagnostic image;
In the display step, the ultrasonic diagnostic image display method of displaying the inserted tomographic image and the plurality of orthogonal tomographic images side by side so as not to overlap the display surface. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to claim 10,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, an image obtained by combining the orthogonal tomographic image with a second insertion guide image that guides an operator on a position where the puncture needle is set in advance is used as the ultrasonic diagnostic image. An ultrasonic diagnostic image display method to be generated. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to claim 11,
The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method, wherein the second insertion guide image combined with the orthogonal tomographic image is shown in a circular shape. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, based on information about a tip position of the puncture needle inserted in the three-dimensional area when the scan is performed, A first tomographic plane corresponding to a portion where the puncture needle is located is specified in a tomographic plane corresponding to the orthogonal tomographic images arranged side by side, and the tomographic image for the specified first tomographic plane is defined as the first tomographic image. As an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to claim 13,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, after identifying the portion where the puncture needle is located on the first tomographic plane based on information about the tip position of the puncture needle when the scan is performed, An ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for synthesizing a first insertion position image indicating a position of the puncture needle in a pixel region corresponding to the specified portion in the first tomographic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to claim 13 or 14,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, the insertion is performed on the tomographic plane arranged on the insertion path in the three-dimensional region based on information on a tip position of the puncture needle when the scan is performed. An ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for generating, as a second tomographic image, the tomographic image of a second tomographic plane aligned with the first tomographic plane in a path. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to claim 15,
In the display step, an ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for displaying the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image side by side so as not to overlap the display surface. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to any one of claims 10 to 16,
A step of setting a distance between tomographic planes for setting a distance between the tomographic planes;
In the ultrasonic diagnostic image generation step, the plurality of orthogonal tomographic images, or the first tomographic image and the first tomographic image and the distance between the tomographic planes set by the tomographic plane distance setting step An ultrasonic diagnostic image display method for generating the second tomographic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method according to any one of claims 10 to 17,
In the scanning, the first region corresponding to the tip position of the puncture needle in the three-dimensional region is based on the information about the tip position of the puncture needle when the scan is performed. The ultrasonic diagnostic image display method implemented so that the sound ray density is higher than in the second region other than the first region.

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