JP5525709B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates an image by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

  An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that generates an image by transmitting and receiving ultrasound within a subject. Generally, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is large and difficult to carry. On the other hand, for example, when an ambulance crew member observes a patient's condition on the spot, instead of using a stethoscope to listen to the noise of the chest, abdomen, and heart, an ultrasound diagnostic device can be used to monitor the chest, abdomen, heart, and blood flow. If it can be seen, more accurate judgment can be made. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with excellent portability.

  Therefore, an operator can hold the ultrasonic probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, an apparatus main body that performs signal processing, image generation, and control, an operation unit, and a display unit in one piece. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided (see, for example, “Patent Document 1”).

  According to this one-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since it is easy to carry, the merit of carrying the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the site can be obtained. However, since the one-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus integrates all the elements of the apparatus in a single housing, its weight is suitable for the operator to hold and perform diagnostic operations. I can't say that.

  Therefore, a two-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is also proposed in which an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and a device having other elements are collected in separate housings and transmits and receives data between both devices by wire or wirelessly. (For example, refer to “Patent Document 2”, “Patent Document 3”, and “Patent Document 4”).

  In this two-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe is held with one hand, and a device having an operation unit is held with the other hand. The operation unit includes, for example, various button arrangements and button images using a touch panel display, and the operator operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by pressing these buttons.

  In this two-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the weight of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is distributed to both arms, the operability due to weight can be reduced compared to the one-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  However, in the two-piece type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since both hands are blocked, the operation unit cannot be gripped with one hand and operated with the other hand. That is, in the operation method of moving a finger with a limited gripped hand while holding the operation unit, the operability is limited in consideration of the movable range of the finger. Then, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus requires various operations such as various functions and input of various parameters. However, the function cannot be input as desired and the parameters cannot be input due to the limitation of the operability.

JP-A-10-57375 JP 2003-190159 A JP 2004-141328 A JP 2006-255102 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus excellent in operability even in a portable type.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 1 is held by one hand of an operator, transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave, and outputs a received signal; A housing that is held by the other hand of the person, a detection unit that is provided in the housing and detects acceleration, direction, and amount of movement associated with a change in posture of the housing, and is provided in the housing and detected by the detection unit A transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an operation signal corresponding to the acceleration, direction, and movement amount associated with the posture change, a diagnostic device main body that generates an ultrasonic image based on the received signal, and a wireless reception device provided in the diagnostic device main body A control unit that controls the generation in response to the operation signal, and a display unit that displays the ultrasonic image , wherein the operation signal represents an amount of movement of the housing in two axial directions, and the diagnosis The device itself It has time gain control means for adjusting the gain of the received signal for each depth reflected by the ultrasonic wave, and when the movement in the two-axis direction is parallel, the control unit, with respect to the time gain control means, The received signal obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the depth proportional to the movement amount in one axis direction is gain-adjusted in proportion to the movement amount in the other axis direction .

  The detection unit may be a multi-axis gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor (corresponding to the invention of claim 2).

  The operation signal represents a movement amount of the housing in two axial directions, and the diagnostic apparatus body includes time gain control means for adjusting a gain of the reception signal for each depth reflected by the ultrasonic wave, and the control The unit receives the ultrasonic wave reflected from the depth proportional to the movement amount in one axis direction with respect to the time gain control means, and receives the reception signal obtained in proportion to the movement amount in the other axis direction. The gain may be adjusted (corresponding to the invention described in claim 3).

  The operation signal represents a movement amount of the housing in two axial directions, and the diagnostic apparatus main body includes a dynamic range adjustment unit that adjusts a dynamic range of the ultrasonic image and a gain of the entire image, and the control unit includes: The dynamic range adjustment unit adjusts the dynamic range of the ultrasonic image in proportion to the amount of movement in one axis direction, and adjusts the gain of the ultrasonic image in proportion to the amount of movement in the other axis direction. You may make it (equivalent to the invention of Claim 4).

  The diagnostic apparatus body includes blood flow information detecting means for detecting blood flow information based on the received signal, and the control unit is based on the moving direction and amount of the housing with respect to the blood flow information detecting means. You may make it analyze the blood-flow information of the said received signal corresponding to the area | region to be defined (equivalent to the invention of Claim 5).

  The diagnostic apparatus main body includes zoom processing means for changing a scale of an area on the ultrasonic image, and the control unit defines the zoom processing means based on the moving direction and amount of the housing. The scale of the image area corresponding to the area to be processed may be changed (corresponding to the invention described in claim 6).

  The display unit may be a head mounted display (corresponding to the invention of claim 7).

  According to the present invention, since the generation of the ultrasonic image is controlled based on the change in the attitude of the housing, the operability is excellent even when the ultrasonic probe is held with one hand and the console is held with the other hand.

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

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits and receives ultrasound within a subject to be diagnosed, such as a patient, and generates and displays an image within the subject based on the received ultrasound. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is a so-called portable type, and is composed of three pieces: an ultrasonic probe 2, an apparatus main body 3, and a handheld console 4. The ultrasonic probe 2 and the apparatus main body 3 are connected by wire via a cable 5, and the apparatus main body 3 and the console 4 are connected wirelessly.

  In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the apparatus main body 3 is mounted on the operator's waist or the like, the ultrasonic probe 2 is held by one hand, and the console 4 is held by the other hand of the operator.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves into the subject under the control of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus body 3 processes the received ultrasonic signal while performing image adjustment, and generates an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image or a color Doppler mode image. The B-mode image is a two-dimensional tomographic image in which the positions where the ultrasonic waves are reflected are arranged two-dimensionally and the amplitude of the received ultrasonic waves is represented by luminance. The color Doppler mode image is an image of blood flow information in which a change in frequency of ultrasonic waves is converted into a blood flow velocity and the flow velocity is expressed in color.

  The console 4 is a portable terminal of a size that can be held by one hand, such as a PDA, and serves as an operation unit and a display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The console 4 receives an operation of the operator and transmits an operation signal representing the operation to the apparatus main body 3 by radio. In addition, the console 4 wirelessly receives the ultrasonic image generated by the apparatus main body 3 and displays the ultrasonic image.

  2 to 4 are block diagrams showing the internal configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the ultrasound probe 2, FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the apparatus main body 3, and FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the console 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes a plurality of aligned piezoelectric elements 21, an ultrasonic transmission circuit 22, and an ultrasonic reception circuit 23.

  The piezoelectric element 21 is an acoustic / electric reversible conversion element made of a piezoelectric ceramic such as lead titanate. When a signal voltage is applied, a piezoelectric effect is generated and ultrasonic waves are transmitted. In addition, when receiving the ultrasonic wave, the piezoelectric element 21 generates a piezoelectric effect and converts the ultrasonic wave into an echo signal having a voltage value corresponding to the intensity.

  The ultrasonic transmission circuit 22 applies a voltage pulse to each piezoelectric element 21. The ultrasonic transmission circuit 22 includes an oscillator 221, a frequency divider 222, a transmission delay circuit 223, and a pulse generator 224.

  The oscillator 221 controls the transmission timing of the voltage pulse, generates a timing signal every predetermined time, and transmits it to the transmission delay circuit 223 via the frequency divider 222. The frequency divider 222 drops the timing signal into a rate pulse of about 5 KHz, for example.

  The transmission delay circuit 223 determines the scanning direction of the ultrasonic beam, and delays the timing signal for each piezoelectric element 21 to provide a time difference. The transmission delay circuit 223 receives a scanning direction signal for selecting a scanning direction from the apparatus main body 3 and provides a delay of voltage pulse application to each piezoelectric element 21 so that the ultrasonic beam is focused in the scanning direction.

  The pulse generator 224 applies a voltage pulse to each piezoelectric element 21 in accordance with the timing signal received from the transmission delay circuit 223.

  The ultrasonic receiving circuit 23 receives an echo signal output from each piezoelectric element 21. The ultrasonic reception circuit 23 includes a preamplifier 231, a partial reception delay circuit 233, and a partial adder 234.

  The preamplifier 231 amplifies the echo signal. The partial reception delay circuit 233 gives a delay time necessary for determining reception directivity to the amplified echo signal. In order to reduce the number of signal lines in the cable 5, the partial adder 234 partially phasing and adding signals from each piezoelectric element 21 to reduce the number of signals to 16 or the like, for example. The partial adder 234 sends echo signals partially phased and added to the apparatus main body 3 via the cable 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 3 includes a receiving circuit 31, an amplitude detector 32, a DR (Dynamic Range) adjusting circuit 33, a blood flow information detecting circuit 34, a data memory 35, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 36, and a radio. A transmission / reception unit 37 and a system controller 38 are included.

  The reception circuit 31 includes an A / D 311, a main reception delay circuit 312, an adder 313, and a TGC (Time-gain control) amplification circuit 314. The A / D 311 converts the signal input from the ultrasound probe 2 into a digital signal. The main reception delay circuit 312 gives a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity for the echo signal. The adder 313 generates a single echo signal by phasing and adding the plurality of input echo signals.

  The TGC amplification circuit 314 amplifies the echo signal according to the depth reflected by the ultrasonic wave in order to compensate for the attenuation of the signal generated in the process of returning the ultrasonic wave. An amplified signal is input from the system controller 38 to the TGC amplifier circuit 314 at every return timing of the ultrasonic wave. The TGC amplifier circuit 314 amplifies the echo signal input at the timing when the amplified signal is input according to the gain value indicated by the amplified signal. The amplified echo signal is sequentially sent to the amplitude detector 32 and the blood flow information detection circuit 34.

  The amplitude detector 32 detects the envelope and detects the intensity of the received ultrasonic wave by compressing the detected data by logarithmic transformation. The intensity value data becomes an element of the B-mode image by making it correspond to the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave. B-mode image data represented by intensity values is sent to the DR adjustment circuit 33.

  The DR adjustment circuit 33 adjusts the dynamic range and gain of the B-mode image. The DR adjustment circuit 33 converts the intensity value data obtained from the amplitude detector 32 into pixel values according to a characteristic curve representing the dynamic range and gain. In the characteristic curve, the horizontal axis represents the intensity value, the vertical axis represents the pixel value, the slope represents the dynamic range, and the position in the pixel value direction represents the gain.

  The DR adjustment circuit 33 is supplied with a DR adjustment signal indicating the inclination of the specific curve and the parallel movement distance of the specific curve in the pixel value direction from the system controller 38. The DR adjustment circuit 33 converts the intensity value data into pixel value data according to a characteristic curve translated in the pixel value direction by the parallel movement distance with the inclination indicated by the DR adjustment signal. Thereby, the dynamic range of the B-mode image and the gain of the entire image are adjusted. Data of each pixel value constituting the B-mode image is sent to the data memory 35.

  The blood flow information detection circuit 34 includes a selector 341, a quadrature detection circuit 342, an MTI (Moving Target Indicator) filter 343, an autocorrelator 344, an average flow velocity calculator 345, a variance calculator 346, and a power calculator 347.

  The selector 341 selects an echo signal to be sent to the quadrature detection circuit 342 and later in order to detect blood flow information. The selector 341 receives a timing signal indicating the input timing of an echo signal for detecting blood flow information from the system controller 38, and passes only the ultrasonic echo signal returned in a predetermined period to the quadrature detection circuit 342.

  The quadrature detection circuit 342 extracts a Doppler signal having a shift frequency component from the echo signal by quadrature detection processing. The MTI filter 343 performs high-pass filter processing that separates the tissue signal and the blood flow signal from the Doppler signal. The autocorrelator 344 performs frequency analysis on the Doppler signal and obtains a deviation frequency of the blood flow. The average flow velocity calculator 345 calculates the average blood flow velocity from the deviation frequency, the dispersion calculator 346 calculates the blood flow velocity distribution from the deviation frequency, and the power calculator 347 calculates the blood flow volume from the displacement frequency. Calculate the power that reflects. The blood flow average, velocity distribution, and power data constituting the color Doppler mode image are sent to the data memory 35.

  The data memory 35 stores the data of each pixel value constituting the B-mode image in association with the position where the ultrasonic wave is reflected. Further, the data memory 35 stores the blood flow average, velocity distribution, and power data constituting the color Doppler mode image in association with the position where the ultrasonic wave is reflected.

  The DSC 36 reads out the signals of the B mode image and the color Doppler mode image stored in the data memory 35 in synchronization with the television scanning, converts the ultrasonic scanning coordinate system to the television scanning coordinate system, and then performs the B mode. A display image is generated by combining a color Doppler mode image on the image.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 is a short-range communication device such as a wireless LAN, Bluetooth, IrDa, CDMA, IEEE 802.11, and wirelessly transmits a display image generated by the DSC 36 to the console 4. Further, the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 receives an operation signal wirelessly transmitted by the console 4.

  The system controller 38 includes a computer such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a driver. The system controller 38 is control means for controlling transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves and generation of ultrasonic images. Ultrasonic image generation control includes ultrasonic transmission / reception control.

  In particular, the system controller 38 performs various types of control such as color Doppler mode image generation control, gain adjustment control for each depth reflected by ultrasonic waves, B-mode image dynamic range and overall image gain adjustment control, and zoom control. Performs control related to generation of an ultrasonic image.

  In order to control the region adjustment for generating the color Doppler mode image, the system controller 38 determines the raster direction of the region for the transmission delay circuit 223 in order to ultrasonically transmit the region for generating the color Doppler mode image. The scanning direction signal shown is output. Further, the system controller 38 outputs a timing signal indicating the input timing of the echo signal reflected from the depth range to the selector 341 in order to define the range in the depth direction in which the color Doppler mode image is generated.

  As control of gain adjustment for each depth at which ultrasonic waves are reflected, the system controller 38 outputs an amplified signal of an echo signal to the TGC amplification circuit 314 at every return timing of the ultrasonic waves.

  As control for adjusting the dynamic range of the B-mode image and the gain of the entire image, the system controller 38 outputs a DR adjustment signal indicating the slope of the characteristic curve and the parallel movement distance to the DR adjustment circuit 33.

  As control of zoom area adjustment, the system controller 38 outputs a zoom signal indicating the zoom area and its scale to the DSC 36.

  As will be described later, the system controller 38 generates and sends a scanning direction signal, a timing signal, an amplification signal, a DR adjustment signal, and a zoom signal in response to an operation signal wirelessly transmitted from the console 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the console 4 is a so-called motion controller that includes an acceleration sensor 41, an operation detection unit 42, a display unit 43, and a wireless transmission / reception unit 44, and detects a change in posture of the housing 45 as an operation. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is operated by a change in the attitude of the housing 45 caused by the console 4 being shaken by the operator. The posture change is represented by a physical quantity such as an acceleration, a direction, or a movement amount at which the housing 45 is shaken.

  The acceleration sensor 41 may be any of a gauge type, a piezoelectric type, and the like in addition to a MEMS sensor such as a piezoresistive type, a capacitance type, and a heat detection type. The acceleration sensor 41 detects the acceleration in the biaxial direction of the housing 45. For example, when the front surface of the console 4 is the upper side and the rear surface is the lower side, and one of the opposing side surfaces is the left and right sides, the acceleration sensor 41 has the vertical direction of the console 4 as the first axis and the left and right direction as the second axis. , Detect the acceleration in each direction. The detected biaxial acceleration is output to the operation detection unit 42 as an electrical signal. For example, the acceleration sensor 41 is preferably installed at the tip of the console 4 where the acceleration is maximized when shaken by an operator.

  The operation detection unit 42 is configured by a computer such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The operation detection unit 42 detects a press of a button (not shown) and generates a button press signal. The operation detection unit 42 also double-integrates the acceleration of each axis detected by the acceleration sensor 41 to calculate the movement amount in each axis direction, and generates a movement amount signal representing the movement amount in each axis direction. The button press signal and the movement amount signal are included in the operation signal.

  The display unit 43 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display, and displays a display image wirelessly transmitted from the apparatus main body 3.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 is a short-range communication device such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth, and wirelessly transmits the operation signal generated by the operation detection unit 42 to the apparatus main body 3. Further, the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 receives display image data wirelessly transmitted by the apparatus main body 3.

  It should be noted that various sensors can be applied as long as the attitude change of the housing 45 can be detected by its acceleration, direction, amount of movement, etc. In addition to the acceleration sensor 41, a gyro sensor can also be applied. It is desirable to install the gyro sensor near the center of the console 4 that is the rotation center of the housing 45.

  Adjustment of a region for generating a color Doppler mode image of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as described above, gain adjustment for each depth reflected by the ultrasonic wave, adjustment of the dynamic range of the B mode image and the gain of the entire image, and adjustment of the zoom region The adjustment control will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between operation of the console 4 and gain adjustment in the control of TGC adjustment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the TGC adjustment mode, a plurality of knob images N are displayed on the display unit 43 beside the ultrasonic image. The knob image N is displayed for each stage, with the depth at which the ultrasonic waves are reflected divided into each stage.

  In this TGC adjustment mode, when the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the vertical direction, the depth for which the gain value is changed is changed. Specifically, the depth for which the gain value is changed is changed in units of steps in proportion to the amount of movement of the housing 45 in the vertical direction. On the display screen, the knob image N corresponding to that stage is changed to the active color.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is swung left and right, the gain value for the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the depth to be changed is changed. Specifically, the gain value for the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the depth to be changed is increased or decreased in proportion to the amount of movement of the housing 45 in the left-right direction. On the display screen, the luminance of the pixels on the B-mode image arranged at the depth to be changed is amplified and displayed by the changed gain value. Further, the knob image N corresponding to the depth to be changed is moved and changed by the increase or decrease of the gain value.

  Further, in the state where the depth to be changed in the TGC adjustment mode is selected by once swinging the housing 45 in the vertical direction, the step of the depth to be changed is in order according to the number of times of the vertical swing. Changes deeper or shallower. For example, when the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken once in the upward direction, the knob image N corresponding to the one-step shallow position is changed to the active color.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in the control of TGC adjustment. In order to set the TGC adjustment mode, by operating a button provided on the console 4, a button press signal indicating the TGC adjustment mode is wirelessly transmitted, and the system controller 38 is set to the TGC adjustment mode.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the vertical direction by the operator (S01, Yes), the acceleration sensor 41 detects the vertical acceleration (S02). The operation detection unit 42 double-integrates the acceleration to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction (S03).

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 of the console 4 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S04). The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives this movement amount signal (S05).

  If the system controller 38 has received the received vertical movement amount signal for the first time after shifting to the TGC adjustment mode (Yes in S06), the system controller 38 sets the gain value in proportion to the movement amount indicated by the movement amount signal. The depth to be changed is changed (S07). Then, the DSC 36 generates a display image in which the knob image N corresponding to the depth to be changed is changed to an active color (S08).

  In S07, the system controller 38 previously distinguishes the depth according to the stage, and identifies each stage by time information necessary for returning from the depth. Further, the system controller 38 determines a step width in advance. The system controller 38 calculates how many units of the predetermined step width the movement amount indicated by the vertical movement amount signal changes, and changes the depth level to be changed by the number of units. . Then, the system controller 38 specifies time information for identifying the depth level to be changed.

  When the display image is generated, the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 wirelessly transmits the display image (S09). On the console 4 side, the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S10).

  If the movement signal in the vertical direction has been received once or more after the transition to the TGC adjustment mode (S06, No), the system controller 38 indicates the depth for which the gain value is to be changed. The DSC 36 raises and lowers by one step in the direction to represent (S11), and the DSC 36 generates a display image in which the knob image N corresponding to the depth to be changed is changed to the active color (S08). Then, the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 wirelessly transmits this display image (S09). On the console 4 side, the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S10).

  Regarding the processing of S11, every time the system controller 38 receives a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction, the system controller 38 raises or lowers the step of the depth to be changed by one step depending on whether the movement amount is positive or negative. Further, the system controller 38 specifies time information for identifying the depth level that is newly changed.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the left-right direction by the operator (S13, Yes), the acceleration sensor 41 detects left-right acceleration (S14). The operation detection unit 42 integrates the acceleration to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the left-right direction (S15). The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S16).

  When the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives the movement amount signal (S17), the system controller 38 increases or decreases the gain value in proportion to the movement amount indicated by the movement amount signal (S18). In S18, an increase or decrease proportional to the amount of movement is added to the gain value associated with the depth stage to be changed.

  Then, the system controller 38 inputs the amplified signal indicating the changed gain value to the TGC amplifier circuit 314 in accordance with the passage of time indicated by the specified time information (S19). As a result, the TGC amplification circuit 314 amplifies the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the depth stage to be changed in response to the amplified signal input in accordance with the input timing of the echo signal. (S20).

  Further, the DSC 36 generates a display image (S21), and the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 wirelessly transmits the display image (S22). On the console 4 side, the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S23). Since the B-mode image included in this display image passes through the TGC amplifier circuit 314 that amplifies the echo signal in response to the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4, the pixel having the depth to be changed by the operation of the housing 45. The value is amplified by the gain value changed by the operation of the housing 45. Further, the knob image N corresponding to the depth to be changed is synthesized with its position changed corresponding to the changed gain value.

  Note that the process of changing the depth to be changed and the process of changing the gain value may be performed in parallel. If the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken diagonally, a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the up and down direction and the left and right direction is transmitted, and the change of the depth and the change of the gain value are processed in parallel.

  As described above, the gain for each depth is changed according to the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between operation of the console 4 and gain adjustment in the control of the dynamic range of the B-mode image and the gain of the entire image.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the DR adjustment mode, when the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the vertical direction, the dynamic range is changed, and when it is shaken in the horizontal direction, the gain is changed. For example, if the housing 45 is shaken upward, the dynamic range is expanded in proportion to the amount of movement, and if the housing 45 is shaken downward, the dynamic range is reduced in proportion to the amount of movement. When the housing 45 is shaken in the left direction, the brightness of the entire image decreases in proportion to the amount of movement, and when the housing 45 is shaken in the right direction, the brightness of the entire image increases in proportion to the amount of movement.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the adjustment operation of the dynamic range of the B-mode image and the gain of the entire image.

  It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device 1 in control of TGC adjustment. In order to set the DR adjustment mode, by operating a button provided on the console 4, a button pressing signal indicating the DR adjustment mode is wirelessly transmitted, and the system controller 38 is set to the DR adjustment mode.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the vertical direction by the operator (S31, Yes), the acceleration sensor 41 detects the vertical acceleration (S32). The operation detection unit 42 double-integrates the acceleration to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction (S33).

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 of the console 4 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S34). The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives this movement amount signal (S35). The system controller 38 calculates the slope of the characteristic curve in proportion to the movement amount indicated by the received movement signal in the vertical direction (S36). At this time, the system controller 38 has a function representing a proportional relationship between the movement amount and the inclination in advance, and calculates the inclination by applying the movement amount to this function.

  When calculating the inclination, the system controller 38 generates a DR adjustment signal indicating the inclination (S37). The DR adjustment signal is sent to the DR adjustment circuit 33. The DR adjustment circuit 33 applies the slope indicated by the DR adjustment signal to the characteristic curve, and converts the intensity value data into a pixel value according to the characteristic curve (S38). .

  Further, the DSC 36 generates a display image including the B-mode image whose dynamic range has been changed (S39), and the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 wirelessly transmits the display image (S40). On the console 4 side, the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S41).

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is shaken in the left-right direction by the operator (S42, Yes), the acceleration sensor 41 detects left-right acceleration (S43). The operation detection unit 42 double-integrates the acceleration to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the left-right direction (S44).

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 of the console 4 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S45). The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives this movement amount signal (S46). The system controller 38 calculates the parallel movement distance of the characteristic curve in proportion to the movement amount indicated by the received movement signal in the horizontal direction (S47). At this time, the system controller 38 has a function representing a proportional relationship between the movement amount and the parallel movement distance in advance, and calculates the parallel movement distance by applying the movement amount to this function.

  After calculating the parallel movement distance, the system controller 38 generates a DR adjustment signal indicating the parallel movement distance (S48). The DR adjustment signal is sent to the DR adjustment circuit 33. The DR adjustment circuit 33 applies the parallel movement distance indicated by the DR adjustment signal to the characteristic curve, and converts the intensity value data into a pixel value according to the characteristic curve ( S49).

  Further, the DSC 36 generates a display image including the B-mode image in which the gain of the entire image is changed (S39), and the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 wirelessly transmits the display image (S40). On the console 4 side, the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S41).

  Note that the processing of changing the dynamic range and changing the gain value of the entire image may be performed in parallel. If the housing 45 of the console 4 is tilted obliquely, a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is sent together, and the change of the dynamic range and the change of the gain value of the entire image are processed in parallel.

  As described above, the dynamic range of the image and the luminance of the entire image are changed according to the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between operation of the console 4 and gain adjustment in control of a region where a color Doppler mode image is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the blood flow information detection region setting mode, the diagonal of the region is designated by the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4. When the housing 45 of the console 4 is swung up and down and left and right, the marker M that designates one diagonal is moved to a position corresponding to the amount of movement. When the marker M is moved and a button (not shown) is pressed, the position of the marker M is fixed as one corner of the diagonal. The region of width and depth indicated by this diagonal is set as a blood flow information detection region, the region is scanned for color Doppler mode image generation, and echo signals corresponding to that region are generated for color Doppler mode image generation Signal processing for.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in controlling a region where a color Doppler mode image is generated. In order to set the blood flow information detection region setting mode, by operating a button provided on the console 4, a button press signal indicating the setting mode is wirelessly transmitted, and the system controller 38 is set to the setting mode. Keep it.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is swung up and down and left and right by the operator (S51), the acceleration sensor 41 detects these biaxial accelerations (S52). The operation detection unit 42 double-integrates each of the accelerations to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction and the left and right directions (S53).

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 of the console 4 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S54). The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives this movement amount signal (S55).

  The system controller 38 changes the diagonal position (X1, Y1) by the movement amount in the movement direction indicated by the received movement amount signal in the vertical and horizontal directions (S56).

  An operation for determining one of the diagonals is performed using the buttons on the console 4 (S57), and S51 to S57 are repeated (S58) to change the other diagonal positions (X2, Y2) of the region. (S59).

  When the diagonal positions (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) of the area are specified, the system controller 38 sequentially shifts the scanning direction for generating the color Doppler mode image in the range of X1 to X2. The signals are sequentially sent to the transmission delay circuit 223 (S60). Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave in the range of X1 to X2 for color Doppler mode image generation (S61).

  Next, the system controller 38 converts the depths Y1 to Y2 into time information returned by the ultrasonic wave (S62), and the time zone corresponding to the time information is sent to the selector 341 of the blood flow information detection circuit 34. A timing signal is sent in accordance with (S63). Accordingly, the selector 341 passes only the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the depths Y1 to Y2 to the subsequent circuit of the blood flow information detection circuit 34. Therefore, at the positions (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2). A color Doppler mode image is generated for the enclosed width and depth region (S64).

  The DSC 36 generates a display image by combining the generated color Doppler mode image with the B mode image, and the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 44 (S65). .

  As described above, the blood flow information detection region is set according to the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4, and the color Doppler mode image of the region is generated and displayed.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the operation of the console 4 and gain adjustment in the control of the zoom area.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the blood flow information detection region setting mode, the diagonal of the region is designated by the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4. When the housing 45 of the console 4 is swung up and down and left and right, the marker M that designates one diagonal is moved to a position corresponding to the amount of movement. When the marker M is moved and a button (not shown) is pressed, the position of the marker M is fixed as one corner of the diagonal. The region of width and depth indicated by this diagonal is set as a blood flow information detection region, the region is scanned for color Doppler mode image generation, and echo signals corresponding to that region are generated for color Doppler mode image generation Signal processing for.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in the zoom area control. In order to set the zoom region setting mode, by operating a button provided on the console 4, a button pressing signal indicating the setting mode is wirelessly transmitted, and the system controller 38 is set to the setting mode.

  When the housing 45 of the console 4 is swung up and down and left and right by the operator (S71), the acceleration sensor 41 detects these biaxial accelerations (S72). The operation detection unit 42 double-integrates each of the accelerations to generate a movement amount signal indicating the movement amount in the vertical direction and the left and right directions (S73).

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 44 of the console 4 wirelessly transmits the generated movement amount signal (S74). The wireless transmission / reception unit 37 of the apparatus body 3 receives this movement amount signal (S75).

  The system controller 38 changes the diagonal position (X1, Y1) by the amount of movement in the movement direction indicated by the received movement amount signal in the vertical and horizontal directions (S76).

  An operation for determining one of the diagonals is performed using the buttons on the console 4 (S77), and S71 to S77 are repeated (S78) to change the other diagonal positions (X2, Y2) of the region. (S79).

  When the diagonal positions (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) of the area are specified, the system controller 38 specifies the DSC 36 with the information indicating the width specified by X1 and X2, and Y1 and Y2. The DSC 36 generates a display image in which the scale of the image in this range is changed, and the display unit 43 displays the display image received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 37 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 44. Display (S80).

  As described above, the zoom area is set according to the operation of the housing 45 of the console 4, and the scale of the area is changed.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has three pieces including the ultrasonic probe 2, the apparatus main body 3, and the console 4. Thereby, it is a case where the ultrasonic diagnosing device 1 is carried, Comprising: The total weight is disperse | distributed to each limb body, without concentrating on the ultrasonic probe 2. FIG. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is controlled based on the posture change of the housing 45 of the console 4. As a result, even if the ultrasonic probe 2 is held with one hand and the console 4 is held with the other hand, the operation can be performed simply and intuitively. Therefore, even if the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is used, diagnosis can be performed without inconvenience.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasound of the system controller 38 is used to control the creativity, such as gain adjustment for each depth of the ultrasound image, dynamic range of the ultrasound image and gain adjustment for the entire image, and area of the color Doppler mode image. Although the adjustment and the adjustment of the zoom area have been described, various adjustments for changing the aspect of the ultrasonic image such as the adjustment of the position for generating the MPR image, the orientation of the 3D image, and the annotation input may be performed. Good.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the display unit 43 may be a so-called head mounted display. In this case, the console 4 and the apparatus main body 3 are wirelessly connected, but the display unit 43 is separate from the console 4 and is connected to the apparatus main body 3 by wire.

It is a block diagram which shows the external appearance of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an ultrasonic probe. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an apparatus main body. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a console. It is a schematic diagram which shows the correspondence of console operation and gain adjustment in the control of TGC adjustment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in control of TGC adjustment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in control of TGC adjustment. It is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between console operation and gain adjustment in control of the dynamic range of the B-mode image and the gain of the entire image. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment operation of the dynamic range of a B mode image, and the gain of the whole image. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment operation of the dynamic range of a B mode image, and the gain of the whole image. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between console operation and gain adjustment in control of an area for generating a color Doppler mode image. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in control of the area | region which produces | generates a color Doppler mode image. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence relationship between console operation and gain adjustment in control of zoom area control. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in control of a zoom area | region. It is a schematic diagram which shows other embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnosing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 21 Piezoelectric element 22 Ultrasonic transmission circuit 221 Oscillator 222 Frequency divider 223 Transmission delay circuit 224 Pulse generator 23 Ultrasonic reception circuit 231 Preamplifier 233 Partial reception delay circuit 234 Partial adder 3 Device body 31 Receiver circuit 311 A / D
312 Main reception delay circuit 313 Adder 314 TGC amplification circuit 32 Amplitude detector 33 DR adjustment circuit 34 Blood flow information detection circuit 341 Selector 342 Quadrature detection circuit 343 MTI filter 344 Autocorrelator 345 Average flow velocity calculator 346 Dispersion calculator 347 Power Operation unit 35 Data memory 36 DSC
37 wireless transmission / reception unit 38 system controller 4 console 41 acceleration sensor 42 operation detection unit 43 display unit 44 wireless transmission / reception unit 45 housing 5 cable

Claims (6)

An ultrasonic probe that is held by one hand of an operator and that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and outputs received signals; and
A housing held by the other hand of the operator;
A detection unit that is provided in the housing and detects an acceleration, a direction, and a movement amount according to a change in posture of the housing;
A transmission unit that is provided in the housing and wirelessly transmits an operation signal according to an acceleration, a direction, and a movement amount associated with the posture change detected by the detection unit;
A diagnostic apparatus body that generates an ultrasound image based on the received signal;
A control unit provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body, for controlling the generation in response to the operation signal received wirelessly;
A display unit for displaying the ultrasonic image;
Equipped with a,
The operation signal represents a movement amount of the housing in two axial directions,
The diagnostic apparatus main body has time gain control means for adjusting the gain of the reception signal for each depth reflected by the ultrasonic wave,
The controller is configured to receive the ultrasonic wave reflected from a depth proportional to the amount of movement in one axis direction to the time gain control means when the movement in the two axes direction is parallel. Adjusting the gain of the received signal in proportion to the amount of movement in the other axis direction;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. The detector is a multi-axis gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The operation signal represents a movement amount of the housing in two axial directions,
The diagnostic apparatus body has dynamic range adjustment means for adjusting the dynamic range of the ultrasonic image and the gain of the entire image,
The control unit causes the dynamic range adjustment unit to adjust the dynamic range of the ultrasonic image in proportion to the amount of movement in one axis direction, and to adjust the dynamic range of the ultrasonic image in proportion to the amount of movement in the other axis direction. Adjusting the gain,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The diagnostic apparatus body has blood flow information detection means for detecting blood flow information based on the received signal,
The control unit causes the blood flow information detection unit to analyze blood flow information of the reception signal corresponding to a region defined based on a moving direction and an amount of the housing;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The diagnostic apparatus main body has zoom processing means for changing the scale of one area on the ultrasonic image,
The control unit causes the zoom processing unit to change a scale of an image area corresponding to an area defined based on a moving direction and an amount of the housing;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The display unit is a head-mounted display;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .