JP5535575B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that synthesizes and displays a normal B-mode image and an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue. In this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the elasticity image is created as follows. First, ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received to a living tissue while repeating compression and relaxation to acquire echoes. Based on the obtained echo data, a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue is calculated, and the physical quantity is converted into hue information to create a color elasticity image. Incidentally, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, a displacement due to deformation of the living tissue (hereinafter simply referred to as “displacement”) is calculated.

  Explaining a little more about an example of the calculation method of the physical quantity, first, correlation windows having a predetermined number of data widths are respectively set in two echo data on the same sound ray that are temporally different, and correlation calculation is performed between the correlation windows. To calculate the physical quantity. For example, in Patent Document 2, a correlation calculation between correlation windows is performed to calculate a waveform shift between both echoes, and the waveform shift is regarded as a displacement.

  By the way, it is useful for diagnosis if not only the elasticity image is displayed but also the elasticity of the part of interest in the displayed image can be quantitatively grasped. Therefore, in Patent Document 3, the elastic modulus of the subject in a predetermined region set in the operation unit is displayed in a graph.

JP-A-2005-118152 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-126079 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-97537

  Here, the calculated physical quantity may not be a value that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue. For example, when the deformation of the living tissue is insufficient, such as the degree of compression and relaxation, the calculated value of the correlation calculation may not appear as a difference according to the difference in elasticity of the living tissue. In this case, the calculated physical quantity does not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue.

  On the other hand, when the degree of compression and relaxation is excessive, lateral displacement may occur in the living tissue. The echo data acquired in such a case includes noise due to lateral shift, and there is a possibility that the correlation coefficient in the correlation calculation becomes low. If the degree of compression and relaxation is excessive, the deformation of the living tissue is too large, and the correlation window set in the two echo data cannot be matched and the correlation coefficient may be lowered. If the correlation coefficient in the correlation calculation is low, a physical quantity that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue cannot be obtained.

  In addition, the echo signal intensity is insufficient in a region where there are few ultrasonic reflectors or in a deep part of a living tissue where transmitted ultrasonic waves are difficult to reach due to attenuation. Thus, the correlation coefficient of the correlation calculation for an echo with insufficient signal strength is low. In addition, when the direction of the compression and relaxation of the ultrasonic probe do not coincide with the direction of the sound ray of the ultrasonic wave, the above-described lateral shift occurs, and therefore, the phase of the correlation calculation for the echo data acquired in such a state The number of relationships is also low. Therefore, even in these cases, a physical quantity that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue cannot be obtained.

  As described above, if a physical quantity that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue cannot be obtained, a graph obtained by plotting the physical quantity in a predetermined region for each frame in order to quantitatively grasp the elasticity of the living tissue When an attempt is made to display, a value that does not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue is included in the displayed graph. In this way, if an unreliable value is included in the displayed graph, a person who makes a diagnosis by looking at the graph does not know which value may be used for the diagnosis.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of grasping the elasticity of living tissue quantitatively and more accurately.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The invention according to the first aspect provides a correlation window for two temporally different echo data on the same sound ray obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a living tissue. And a physical quantity calculation unit that calculates a physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue by performing a correlation operation between the correlation windows, a display unit that displays an ultrasonic image, and a physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculation unit Among them, a display control unit that displays a physical quantity display indicating a set area physical quantity in a set area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit, an evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index for the set area physical quantity, And the display control unit displays an evaluation index display representing the evaluation index together with the physical quantity display. It is a cross-sectional device.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, a correlation window is set for two temporally different echo data on the same sound ray obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue, and correlation calculation is performed between the correlation windows. Of the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculator, a physical quantity calculator that calculates the physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue, the display unit that displays the ultrasonic image, and the physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculator, the setting is performed on the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit. A display control unit that displays a physical quantity display indicating a set area physical quantity in the set area, and an evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index for the set area physical quantity, wherein the display control unit has a predetermined evaluation index. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the physical quantity display is displayed in a form capable of recognizing whether or not the set area physical quantity satisfies a criterion of It is.

  The invention according to a third aspect is the invention according to the first or second aspect, wherein the evaluation index calculation unit calculates an average of the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculation unit for each frame. And a comparison unit that compares the calculated value for each frame by the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit with a preset average value of the physical quantity, and the comparison result by the comparison unit is used as the evaluation index Is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The invention according to a fourth aspect is the invention according to the third aspect, wherein the physical quantity average unit for calculating the evaluation index is an average of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation calculation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by performing calculation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the invention, the comparison unit calculates, as the comparison result, a value calculated by the physical quantity average unit for evaluation index calculation with respect to a preset average value of the physical quantity. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by calculating a ratio.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the evaluation index calculation unit includes a correlation coefficient average unit that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in the correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that a calculation result by the correlation coefficient averaging unit is used as the evaluation index.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the evaluation index calculation unit calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation operation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed. Between the correlation window, an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit that is calculated for each frame, a ratio calculation unit that calculates a ratio of a calculated value by the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit to a preset average value of the physical quantity, and A correlation coefficient average unit that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in correlation calculation for each frame; a multiplication unit that multiplies the calculated value of the ratio calculation unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient average unit; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that a calculation result by the multiplication unit is used as the evaluation index.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the multiplication unit performs a weighting operation on the calculated value of the ratio calculating unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging unit. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the evaluation index calculation unit calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation operation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed. Between the correlation window, an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit that is calculated for each frame, a ratio calculation unit that calculates a ratio of a calculated value by the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit to a preset average value of the physical quantity, and A correlation coefficient average unit that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in correlation calculation for each frame; a multiplication unit that multiplies the calculated value of the ratio calculation unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient average unit; The calculation result selected by the operation unit for inputting an instruction for selecting one of the calculation result by the ratio calculation unit, the calculation result by the correlation coefficient averaging unit, or the calculation result by the multiplication unit is An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by a valence index.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the evaluation index calculation unit includes a compression state calculation unit that calculates a compression state against the living tissue, and the calculation result of the compression state calculation unit is obtained. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the evaluation index is used.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is the invention of the tenth aspect, in which the compressed state is applied to an average value of the physical quantity in a region where an elastic image of a biological tissue is created based on the physical quantity or to the body surface of the living body. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by a high pressure.

  An invention according to a twelfth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the set area physical quantity is an average of physical quantities for each pixel in the set area. is there.

  The invention according to a thirteenth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the ultrasonic image is obtained by combining an elastic image of a living tissue created based on the physical quantity with a B-mode image. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being an obtained image.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the ultrasonic image is a B-mode image.

  According to the present invention, the physical quantity display representing the set area physical quantity in the set area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit is displayed, and the evaluation index display representing the evaluation index for the set area physical quantity is displayed. Therefore, the reliability of the physical quantity display can be grasped. Thereby, the elasticity of a biological tissue can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

  According to another invention, since the physical quantity display is displayed in a form in which it can be recognized whether the evaluation index is the set area physical quantity that satisfies a predetermined criterion, it is possible to grasp the reliability of the physical quantity display. it can. Thereby, the elasticity of a biological tissue can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of creation of elasticity data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the evaluation parameter | index calculation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display in the real time mode of the display part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating calculation of the physical quantity at the time of creating elasticity image data. It is a figure which shows the graph of the function used in a ratio calculation part. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the display of the display part at the time of real-time mode, and displaying that an evaluation parameter | index display flows so that it may flow from left to right with progress of time. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the display of the display part at the time of real-time mode, and displaying that an evaluation parameter | index display flows so that it may flow from left to right with progress of time. It is a figure which shows an example of the display in the memory reproduction mode of the display part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the display part at the time of memory reproduction mode, and displaying that an evaluation parameter | index display and a displacement display are displayed so that it may flow from left to right with progress of time. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the display part at the time of memory reproduction mode, and displaying that an evaluation parameter | index display and a displacement display are displayed so that it may flow from left to right with progress of time. It is a figure which shows the other display form of the display part at the time of memory reproduction mode. It is a figure which shows the display part in the 2nd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part in the 3rd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the evaluation parameter | index calculation part in 2nd embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the evaluation parameter | index calculation part in 3rd embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the evaluation parameter | index calculation part in 5th embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of an evaluation parameter | index display. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the other example of evaluation index display was displayed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode data creation unit 4, an elasticity data creation unit 5, an image control unit 6, a display unit 7, a control unit 8, and an operation unit 9. Prepare.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue and receives an echo thereof. Based on echo data acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while repeating compression and relaxation while the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of the living tissue, an elastic image is created as described later.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition to perform ultrasonic scanning for each sound ray. The transmission / reception unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo data signal-processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B-mode data creation unit 4 and the elasticity data creation unit 5.

  Incidentally, the transmission / reception unit 3 separately performs a B-mode image scan for creating a B-mode image and an elastic image scan for creating an elastic image. As the elastic image scanning, scanning is performed twice on the same sound ray in a region of interest RE, which will be described later, which is a region (elastic image creation region) for creating an elastic image in the subject.

  The B-mode data creation unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to create B-mode data.

  Based on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3, the elasticity data creation unit 5 creates elasticity data including physical quantity data relating to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue. More specifically, the elasticity data creation unit 5 uses, as a physical quantity relating to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue, displacement due to deformation of each part in the living tissue caused by the compression and relaxation of the ultrasonic probe 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as “displacement”). Is calculated). The elasticity data creation unit 5 calculates displacement based on two echo data on the same sound ray belonging to two frames (i) and (ii) that are temporally different as shown in FIG. More specifically, the elastic data creation unit 5 sets correlation windows W1 and W2 in the echo data as will be described later (see FIG. 6), and performs a correlation operation between the correlation windows W1 and W2 to change the displacement. calculate. Displacement data for one pixel is obtained from the pair of correlation windows W1 and W2, and by generating this displacement data for one frame, elasticity data composed of displacement data for each part in the living tissue is obtained for one frame. can get. The elasticity data creation unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity calculation unit in the present invention.

  The image control unit 6 is input with B-mode data output from the B-mode data creation unit 4 and elasticity data output from the elasticity data creation unit 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the image control unit 6 includes a display image creation unit 61, a memory 62, an evaluation index calculation unit 63, and a physical quantity average unit 64.

  The display image creating unit 61 converts the B-mode data into B-mode image data having luminance information corresponding to the signal intensity of echoes, and color elastic image data having hue information corresponding to displacement. Convert to The luminance information and hue information are composed of predetermined gradations (for example, 256 gradations). Then, the display image creation unit 61 synthesizes the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data by addition processing, and creates image data of an ultrasonic image to be displayed on the display unit 7. The image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as an ultrasonic image G in which a monochrome B-mode image BG and a color elastic image EG are combined as shown in FIGS. In this example, the elastic image EG is displayed translucently in the region of interest RE (with the background B-mode image transparent). The display unit 7 is an example of an embodiment of a display unit in the present invention.

  The display image creating unit 61 creates an evaluation index display QG as will be described later, and displays it on the display unit 7 together with the ultrasonic image G. In this example, the evaluation index display QG is composed of an evaluation index graph Qgr in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents an evaluation index value Qn described later. The creation of the evaluation index display QG will be described in detail later. The evaluation index display QG is an example of an embodiment of evaluation index display in the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the display image creation unit 61 creates a displacement display SG and displays it on the display unit 7 together with the ultrasonic image G and the evaluation index display QG. In this example, the displacement display SG includes a displacement graph Sgr in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents displacement. As the displacement display SG, a displacement graph Sgr1 for the displacement measurement region RS1 set in the region of interest RE and a displacement graph Sgr2 for the displacement measurement region RS2 are displayed. The creation of the displacement graphs Sgr1 and SGr2 will be described in detail later. The display image creation unit 61 is an example of an embodiment of a display control unit in the present invention, and the displacement display SG is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity display in the present invention. Moreover, the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are an example of an embodiment of a setting area in the present invention.

  The memory 62 stores the B-mode data for each sound ray output from the B-mode data creation unit 4 and the elasticity data for each sound ray output from the elasticity data creation unit 5. The memory 62 stores an evaluation index value Qn for each frame. The evaluation index value Qn is stored in association with the elasticity data so that it can be understood which frame's elasticity data.

  Here, the echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2 before being converted into the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data is referred to as raw data. The B-mode data and elasticity data stored in the memory 62 are raw data.

The evaluation index calculation unit 63 is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index calculation unit in the present invention. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the evaluation index calculation unit 63 includes an evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging unit 631 and a ratio calculation unit 632. doing. When the elasticity data is input, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 calculates the average displacement calculated for each pixel for each frame. The calculated value of the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit 631 and the average value Xr _AV. The evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit 631 calculates an average value Xr _AV for each frame region of interest RE. The evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit in the present invention.

The ratio calculation unit 632 calculates the ratio Ra of the average value Xr _{AV to} the average ideal value Xi _AV of displacement, and further calculates the evaluation index value Qn by performing the calculation of (Equation 1) as described later. This evaluation index value Qn indicates how accurately the displacement calculated by the elasticity data creation unit 5 represents the elasticity of the living tissue. Therefore, the evaluation index value Qn indicates how accurately the displacement average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV calculated as described below for the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 represent the elasticity of the living tissue. . The evaluation index value Qn is elastic image EG in the average value Xr _AV and ultrasonic image G of the region of interest RE is intended to indicate those representing how more accurately the elasticity of the biological tissue It can also be said. The evaluation index value Qn is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index for the set area physical quantity in the present invention. The ratio calculation unit 632 is an example of an embodiment of a comparison unit and a ratio calculation unit in the present invention. The ideal value Xi _AV is an example of an embodiment of an average value of preset physical quantities in the present invention.

Here, the ideal value Xi _AV is a strength capable of obtaining an elastic image more accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue, and the ultrasonic probe 2 compresses and relaxes the ultrasound when transmitting and receiving the ultrasound. Is an average value of displacements obtained in an arbitrarily set region. This ideal value Xi _AV is an experimentally obtained value obtained by conducting an experiment on a phantom composed of a part having the same hardness as a tumor or a part having the same hardness as a normal tissue. The ideal value Xi _AV may be set by the operator on the operation unit 9 or may be stored in the apparatus as a default.

The physical quantity averaging unit 64 calculates the average of displacement calculated for each pixel in the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 for each frame using the displacement obtained by the elasticity data creation unit 5. Wherein the calculated value for the displacement measurement area RS1 as an average _{X1 AV,} the calculated value for the displacement measurement area RS2 and the average value _{X2 AV.} The displacement graph Sgr1 is a graph showing the time change of the average value X1 _AV , and the displacement graph Sgr2 is a graph showing the time change of the average value X2 _AV . The average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV are an example of an embodiment of the set area physical quantity in the present invention.

  The control unit 8 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in a storage unit (not shown), and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The operation unit 9 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for the operator to input instructions and information.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. In this example, at the time of photographing in real time (real time mode), the ultrasonic image G and the evaluation index display QG are displayed on the display unit 7 as shown in FIG. When the ultrasonic image G is created and displayed after the real-time mode ends based on the B-mode data and the elasticity data stored in the memory 62 in the real-time mode (memory reproduction mode), the ultrasonic wave The displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set on the image G, and the displacement display SG is displayed together with the evaluation index display QG as shown in FIG.

  First, the real-time mode will be described. The transmission / reception unit 3 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue of the subject and acquires echo data thereof. At this time, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while repeatedly pressing and relaxing the subject.

  The B-mode data creation unit 4 creates B-mode data based on the echo data. The elasticity data creation unit 5 creates elasticity data based on the echo data, as will be described in detail later. The B-mode data and the elasticity data are stored in the memory 62, and converted into B-mode image data and color elasticity image data in the display image creation unit 61. Then, the display image creation unit 61 creates image data by combining the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data, and the B-mode image BG and the elastic image EG are combined as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic image G is displayed on the display unit 7 as a real-time image.

  In addition, on the display unit 7, an evaluation index display QG created by the display image creation unit 61 is displayed below the ultrasonic image G.

  The creation of elasticity data in the elasticity data creation unit 5, the calculation of the evaluation index value Qn and the creation of the assessment index display QG in the display image creation unit 61 will be described in detail. In creating the elasticity data, the elasticity data creation unit 5 sets a correlation window for each echo data belonging to the frames (i) and (ii). Specifically, the elasticity data creation unit 5 sets a correlation window W1 for echo data belonging to the frame (i) and sets a correlation window W2 for echo data belonging to the frame (ii) as shown in FIG. . The elasticity data creation unit 5 calculates a displacement by performing a correlation operation between the correlation windows W1 and W2.

  More specifically, in FIG. 6, the frames (i) and (ii) are made of echo data acquired on a plurality of sound rays. In FIG. 6, five sound lines L1a, L1b, L1c, L1d, and L1e are shown as a part of the plurality of sound lines in the frame (i), and the sound lines L1a to L1e in the frame (ii) are shown. As sound lines corresponding to L1e, sound lines L2a, L2b, L2c, L2d, and L2e are shown. That is, the sound ray L1a and the sound ray L2a, the sound ray L1b and the sound ray L2b, the sound ray L1c and the sound ray L2c, the sound ray L1d and the sound ray L2d, the sound ray L1e and the sound ray. L2e corresponds to the same sound ray belonging to two different frames. In FIG. 6, R (i) and R (ii) indicate regions corresponding to the region of interest RE.

  For example, it is assumed that a correlation window W1c is set as the correlation window W1 in the echo data on the sound ray L1c, and a correlation window W2c is set as the correlation window W2 in the echo data on the sound ray L2c. The elasticity data creation unit 5 performs a correlation calculation between the correlation windows W1c and W2c and calculates a displacement. The elasticity data creation unit 5 sequentially sets correlation windows W1c and W2c from the upper end 100 to the lower end 101 of the regions R (i) and R (ii) on the sound rays L1c and L2c, and calculates the displacement. Further, the elasticity data creation unit 5 calculates the displacement in the same manner for the other sound rays in the regions R (i) and R (ii). Thereby, elasticity data for one frame consisting of displacement data is obtained.

Next, calculation of the evaluation index value Qn and creation of the evaluation index display QG will be described. In creating the evaluation index display QG, when the elasticity data is input to the image control unit 6, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 first has the region of interest RE (the regions R (i), R ( It calculates an average value _{Xr AV} displacement in ii)). Incidentally, the displacement from the sometimes becomes negative, the average value Xr _AV is also that there shall be negative. Next, the ratio calculation unit 632 calculates Xr _AV / Xi _AV to calculate the ratio Ra. Further, the ratio calculation unit 632 substitutes the ratio Ra into the following (Expression 1) to obtain a numerical value Y.
Y = 1.0− | log ₁₀ | Ra || (Expression 1)
Here, Y is an example of the evaluation index value Qn, and is an example of an embodiment of the comparison result by the comparison unit and the calculated value of the comparison unit in the present invention.

Incidentally, the equation (1) is intended for the ratio Ra in the range from 0 to 1, Y obtained by the equation (1), the ratio of the average value _{Xr AV} for the ideal value _{Xi AV} Is equivalent to When the function represented by (Equation 1) is represented by a graph, the graph shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 7, 0 ≦ Y ≦ 1.

  Further, it is assumed that 0.1 ≦ | Ra | ≦ 10, and when | Ra | exceeds this range, Y is set to zero.

  The calculated value Y of the ratio calculation unit 632 is stored in the memory 62 and input to the display image creation unit 61. Here, the calculated value Y is calculated for each frame. The display image creation unit 61 plots the calculated value Y for each frame as an evaluation index value Qn, and displays an evaluation index display QG including an evaluation index graph Qgr in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the evaluation index value Qn. create. At this time, the display image creation unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a stable evaluation index graph Qgr with no numerical variation.

Since 0 ≦ Y ≦ 1, 0 ≦ Qn ≦ 1. The closer the evaluation index value Qn is to 1, the better the evaluation index of the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV is. On the other hand, the closer the evaluation index value Qn is to 0, the average values X1 _AV and X2 are. It means that it becomes worse as an evaluation index of _AV . Herein, the average value _X1 AV, _{X2 AV} metrics is good, it means that the elasticity of the biological tissue is more precisely the average value _X1 AV, _{X2 AV} reflecting, on the one hand the mean value X1 _AV, and _{X2 AV} metrics is poor, meaning that it is not the elasticity of the biological tissue in accurately reflect the mean value _X1 AV, _{X2 AV.}

More particularly the evaluation index value Qn, as can be seen from the graph of FIG. 7, the case where the average value _{Xr AV} is equal to the ideal value _{Xi AV} (i.e., | Ra | is 1), Y ie evaluation index value Qn Becomes 1. Therefore, if the evaluation index value Qn is 1 or a value close to 1, the degree to which the ultrasonic probe 2 compresses and relaxes the living tissue is appropriate, and the average value X1 that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue. _AV and X2 _AV are obtained.

On the other hand, the higher the average value _{Xr AV} becomes a value away from the said ideal value _{Xi AV} (i.e., | Ra | more becomes a value far from 1), the evaluation index value Qn approaches zero. Here, the fact that the average value Xr _AV is a value that is separated from the ideal value Xi _AV means that the degree to which the ultrasonic probe 2 compresses or relaxes the living tissue is insufficient or excessive. To do. Therefore, as the evaluation index value Qn approaches zero, the degree of compression or relaxation on the living tissue is insufficient or excessive, and as a result, an elastic image EG that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue is not obtained. become.

  Incidentally, when the real-time ultrasonic image G is displayed, the elastic image EG may not be displayed for a frame having a low evaluation index value Qn.

  The display image creation unit 61 synthesizes the evaluation index display QG with the ultrasonic image G and causes the display unit to display it. Thereby, the evaluation index display QG is displayed on the display unit 7 below the ultrasonic image G.

  The evaluation index display QG will be described in more detail. When the ultrasonic image G is displayed as a moving image, the display image creation unit 61 calculates the evaluation index value Qn in the currently displayed ultrasonic image G for each frame. The evaluation index graph Qgr is created by plotting the above. Accordingly, the display unit 7 displays the graph gr so as to flow from left to right as time passes, as shown in FIGS. In this case, the left end of the evaluation index graph Qgr represents the evaluation index value of the currently displayed frame.

  Next, the memory reproduction mode will be described. The display image creation unit 61 reads out the B mode data and elasticity data stored in the memory 62. The display image creating unit 61 converts the B-mode data and elasticity data into B-mode image data and color elasticity image data, and synthesizes them to create image data. As shown in FIG. The image G is displayed on the display unit 7 as a moving image.

  The display image creating unit 61 reads the evaluation index value Qn stored in the memory 62, and creates and displays the evaluation index display QG.

  Further, the display image creation unit 61 creates and displays the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2. More specifically, first, the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 are set in the region of interest RE on which the elastic image EG is displayed. The displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are areas where the operator wants to compare the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, and is set by designating on the display unit 7 using the pointing device of the operation unit 9 or the like. When setting the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2, the ultrasonic image G may be frozen.

When the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set, the physical quantity averaging unit 64 calculates the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV . These average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV are input to the display image creation unit 61. Then, the display image creating unit 61 creates and displays displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 by plotting the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV for each frame. Thus, by displaying the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, it is possible to quantitatively grasp the elasticity in the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2.

The evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 are displayed so as to flow from left to right as shown in FIGS. The display image creating unit 61 causes the display unit 7 to display the time phases of the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2. The left end of the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 represents the evaluation index value Qn and average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV of the frame currently displayed.

  However, the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 may be displayed in different display forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 of the entire reproduction range of the ultrasonic image G displayed as a moving image are displayed from the beginning, and the ultrasonic image G is reproduced. At the same time, the frame bar b indicating the currently played frame may be moved from left to right.

  Contour lines surrounding the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 may be displayed with different hues, and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 may be displayed with the same hue as the hues. For example, when the contour line surrounding the displacement measurement region RS1 is displayed in blue and the contour line surrounding the displacement measurement region RS2 is displayed in red, the displacement graph Sgr1 is displayed in blue and the displacement graph Sgr2 is displayed in red. indicate.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present example, since the evaluation index graph Qgr is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 on the display unit 7, the displacements calculated for the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 are as follows. It is possible to grasp which frame has high reliability. For example, if the evaluation index value Qn in the evaluation index graph Qgr is low, it can be determined that the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 for the frame do not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. . On the contrary, if the evaluation index value Qn in the evaluation index graph Qgr is high, it is determined that the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 for the frame accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. it can. As described above, the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

Further, since the evaluation index displayed QG consisting metrics graph Qgr representing the time variation of the evaluation index value Qn calculated based on the ratio Ra of the average value Xr _AV for the ideal value Xi _AV is displayed, the operator It is possible to easily determine whether the degree of pressure and relaxation on the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is insufficient or excessive. Accordingly, it is possible to evaluate whether the elasticity image accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue from a wider viewpoint than before.

  The operator may freeze the ultrasonic image G at a place where the evaluation index value Qn is high by looking at the evaluation index graph Qgr, and output the ultrasonic image G by printing or the like. Thereby, an ultrasonic image that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be output by printing or the like. Further, in the real-time mode, the operator can adjust the degree of the compression and relaxation of the ultrasonic probe 2 on the living tissue by looking at the evaluation index graph Qgr.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. In this modification, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 displays a correlation window in which a correlation calculation is performed in which the correlation coefficient C (0 ≦ C ≦ 1) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold C _TH in the region of interest RE. The average of the displacement is selected and the average value Xr _AV ′ is obtained. Then, the ratio calculation unit 632 calculates the ratio Ra using the average value Xr _AV ′, and calculates Y using (Equation 1) to obtain the evaluation index value Qn. Therefore, the calculated value Y calculated in this way is stored in the memory 62. Further, the display image creation unit 61 creates the evaluation index display QG using the calculated value Y.

The average value Xr _AV ′ is an average value obtained by removing the displacement of a portion having a low correlation coefficient, such as a portion where the echo signal intensity is insufficient or a portion where the lateral displacement of the living tissue occurs. Therefore, the evaluation index value Qn obtained from the average value Xr _AV ′ indicates whether or not the compression and relaxation by the ultrasonic probe 2 are performed with an appropriate strength. As described above, the operator can more accurately grasp whether or not the compression by the ultrasonic probe 2 and the relaxation thereof are performed with appropriate strength from the evaluation index display QG. For example, when the evaluation index value Qn is away from 1, it can be understood that the compression and relaxation by the ultrasonic probe 2 are not performed with an appropriate strength. On the other hand, if the evaluation index value Qn is 1 or a value close to 1, the operator can grasp that the compression by the ultrasonic probe 2 is performed with an appropriate strength.

If, in the case of performing the calculation of the average value Xr _AV including a displacement obtained by the low correlation calculation correlation coefficient, the degree of compression and its relaxation to a living body tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is a suitable also, for example, when the signal intensity of the echo is low, the average value Xr _AV is small, the evaluation index value Qn moves away from 1. Therefore, this modification as in, by performing the calculation of the average value Xr _AV except the displacement of low correlation coefficient portion, the degree of compression and its relaxation to a living body tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is properly If so, the evaluation index value Qn is always close to 1. As described above, it is possible to display the evaluation index display QG that more accurately reflects whether the pressure on the living tissue and the degree of relaxation thereof are appropriate.

Next, a second modification will be described. In the second modified example, the display image creation unit 61 can recognize whether the evaluation index value Qn is an average value X1 _AV , X2 _AV satisfying a predetermined criterion, and the displacement graphs Sgr1, Sgr2 Is displayed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the display image creation unit 61 displays displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 in which only the evaluation index value Qn having the evaluation index value Qn equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Qn _TH is plotted. Let Thereby, in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, since the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV in which the evaluation index value Qn is less than the threshold value Qn _TH are not displayed, the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 can be quantitatively determined. Accurate grasp can be made easier.

  Next, a third modification will be described. In this third modification, the elasticity data creation unit 5 calculates displacement and creates elasticity data. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the display unit 7 does not display the elasticity image EG. Also good. That is, in this example, an ultrasonic image G composed of a B-mode image BG is displayed, the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 are set on the B-mode image BG, and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 are displayed. In this case, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit 631 calculates, for example, an average value of displacement in a region where the B-mode image BG is created.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure same as 1st embodiment.

  In this example, the evaluation index calculation unit 63 does not include the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit 631 and the ratio calculation unit 632, but instead includes a correlation coefficient average unit 633. This correlation coefficient average unit 633 is an example of an embodiment of a correlation coefficient average unit in the present invention.

The operation of this example will be described. In this example, the calculation method of the evaluation index value Qn is different from that of the first embodiment. More specifically, the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 performs the correlation coefficient C in the region of interest RE (regions R (i) and R (ii)) in each correlation calculation performed by the elasticity data creation unit 5. It calculates an average value _{C AV} for each frame. In the present example, the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C and the evaluation index value Qn. Accordingly, the average value _{C AV} is stored in the memory 62.

Here, since 0 ≦ C ≦ 1, also in this example, 0 ≦ Qn ≦ 1. As the correlation coefficient in the correlation calculation is closer to 1, a displacement that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be obtained. On the other hand, as the correlation coefficient is closer to zero, a displacement that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be obtained. Disappear. Thus, also in this embodiment, as Qn approaches 1, as the evaluation index of the mean value _X1 AV, _{X2 AV} becomes favorable, while the higher Qn approaches zero, the evaluation of the mean value _X1 AV, _{X2 AV} It becomes worse as an indicator.

Evaluation of evaluation In the creation of the index display QG, the display image creation unit 61 plots the average value C _AV as the evaluation index value Qn, as in the first embodiment, consisting of the evaluation graph Qgr An index display QG is created and displayed. At this time, similarly to the first embodiment, the display image creation unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value.

According to this embodiment, together with the displacement graph Sgr1, Sgr2, wherein the average value metrics graph Qgr the _{C AV} made by plotting is displayed, as in the first embodiment, the displacement measuring area RS1, RS2 Elasticity can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

Further, since the evaluation index displayed QG consisting metrics graph Qgr representing the time variation of the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C evaluation index value Qn is displayed, the operator, the elastic image being displayed, For example, the elasticity created based on the displacement obtained by the correlation calculation with a low correlation coefficient due to excessive pressure on the living tissue and its relaxation or insufficient signal strength of the echo Whether or not the image data is an image can be grasped. Thereby, it is possible to evaluate whether the image accurately reflects the elastic image of the living tissue from a viewpoint different from the conventional one.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described based on FIG. In addition, about the structure same as 1st, 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this example, the evaluation index calculation unit 63 includes the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit 631, the ratio calculation unit 632, the correlation coefficient average unit 633, and further includes a multiplication unit 634. The multiplier 634 is an example of an embodiment of a multiplier in the present invention.

Calculation of the evaluation index value Qn in this example will be described. Similar to the first modification of the first embodiment, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 selects a correlation window in which a correlation calculation is performed with a correlation coefficient C equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold C _TH. The average value Xr _AV ′ of displacement is calculated, and the ratio calculation unit 632 calculates the ratio Ra using the average value Xr _AV ′, and calculates Y from the (Equation 1). Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 calculates an average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C.

Then, the multiplication section 634 multiplies the calculated value Y obtained by the ratio calculator 632, the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C obtained by the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633, the multiplication value M Is calculated. This multiplication value M is calculated for each frame. In this example, the multiplication value M is set as the evaluation index value Qn. Accordingly, the memory 62 stores the multiplication value M.

Here, since 0 ≦ Y ≦ 1 and 0 ≦ C _AV ≦ 1, 0 ≦ M ≦ 1. Therefore, also in this example, 0 ≦ Qn ≦ 1. The multiplication value M, since the said calculated value Y wherein a multiplication value between the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C, the multiplication value M, that is, as the evaluation index value Qn approaches 1, the mean value X1 _AV, The evaluation index of X2 _AV becomes better, while the closer the Qn approaches zero, the worse the evaluation index of the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV becomes.

Here, the multiplication unit 614, when multiplied by the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C and the calculated value Y, may be multiplied by weighting.

  In creating the evaluation index display QG, the display image creation unit 61 plots the multiplication value M as the evaluation index value Qn, and displays the evaluation index display QG as in the first and second embodiments. Create and display. At this time, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the display image creation unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value.

Here, as in the first modification of the first embodiment, the evaluation index value Qn calculated from the average value Xr _AV ′ of the displacement obtained by the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient C equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value C _{TH is} used. When displayed as the evaluation index display QG, the correlation coefficient is not reflected at all as an element for evaluating the quality of the elastic image. On the other hand, as in the second embodiment, when displaying the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C as the evaluation index displayed QG, the degree of compression and its relaxation to a living body tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is not enough However, since the correlation coefficient C is high, a good value may be displayed as the evaluation index value Qn. Therefore, in this example, the calculated value Y obtained by using the ratio Ra calculated using the average value Xr _AV ′ is multiplied by the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C, thereby obtaining the living tissue. The evaluation index value Qn can be calculated by taking into consideration the factors of the degree of compression and relaxation, and the correlation coefficient element, and an evaluation index display QG comprising the evaluation index value Qn can be displayed. Thereby, it can be evaluated from a broader viewpoint than before whether or not the elasticity image accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue.

  Further, since the evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting the multiplication value M is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 is determined as in the first and second embodiments. It is possible to grasp quantitatively and more accurately.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this example, the ratio calculator calculates values obtained at 632 Y, calculating all the multiplication value M obtained by the average value C _AV and the multiplication unit 634 of the correlation coefficient C obtained by the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 One of the calculated value Y, the average value _CAV, and the multiplication value M is selected and calculated to obtain an evaluation index value Qn. Then, an evaluation index display QG including the selected evaluation index value Qn is created and displayed by the display image creating unit 61 in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments. Which of the calculated value Y, the average value C _AV , and the multiplication value M is selected as the evaluation index value Qn is input by the operator through the operation unit 9. What was once selected as the evaluation index value Qn may be changed.

According to this example, since the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the evaluation index graph Qgr formed by plotting any one of the calculated value Y, the average value C _AV , and the multiplication value M is displayed. As in the first to third embodiments, the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

Further, the calculated value Y generated using the metrics graph QGR, average C rating was created using the _AV index graph QGR, be displayed by switching the metrics graph QGR created using multiplication value M Therefore, it is possible to evaluate whether or not the elasticity image accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue from a wider viewpoint than before.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described based on FIG. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure same as 1st-4th embodiment.

In this example, the evaluation index calculation unit 63 includes only the evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging unit 631. Then, the average value Xr _AV calculated by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit 631 as an evaluation index value Qn. Here, the average value Xr _AV is an example embodiment of a pressed state with respect to the biological tissue in the present invention, also the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit 631, an embodiment of the pressurizing-state calculator of the present invention It is an example.

The display image creation unit 61 plots the average value Xr _AV as the evaluation index value Qn, and creates and displays an evaluation index display QG including the evaluation graph Qgr in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments. At this time, similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, the display image creating unit 61 may calculate the average of the evaluation index value Qn for a plurality of frames and plot the average value.

Here, as described above, if the degree of pressure on the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 and the degree of relaxation thereof are excessive or insufficient, a displacement that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue cannot be calculated. Therefore, when the average value Xr _AV calculated by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 is too high or too low, the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV for the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 are biological tissues. It does not accurately reflect the elasticity of. For this reason, it can be said that the average value Xr _AV represents whether or not the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. Therefore, since the evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting the average value Xr _AV is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2 is displayed as in the first to fourth embodiments. Can be grasped quantitatively and more accurately.

  In the fifth embodiment, the pressure applied to the body surface of the living body as a compressed state against the living tissue may be detected, and the evaluation index display QG may be displayed using the pressure as the evaluation index value Qn. In this case, the pressure applied to the body surface is detected by, for example, providing a pressure sensor at a contact portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 with the body surface.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by each said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, the ratio calculation unit 632 does not need to calculate only the ratio Ra and perform the calculation of (Equation 1). In this case, the ratio | Ra | is set as the evaluation index value Qn. An example of the evaluation index display QG created by plotting the ratio | Ra | as the evaluation index value Qn and displayed on the display unit 7 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the ratio | Ra |. As shown in FIG. 19, a band-shaped portion O may be displayed in a predetermined range where the ratio | Ra | is close to 1. This band-like portion O is set in a range of a ratio | Ra | at which an elastic image EG that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue is obtained. By displaying such a band-shaped portion O, if the operator performs compression and relaxation on the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 so that the evaluation index display QG enters the band-shaped portion O, the living tissue An elasticity image that accurately reflects the elasticity of the image can be obtained.

  In each said embodiment, although the said displacement display SG is comprised by the graph, in this invention, it is not restricted to this. The displacement display SG only needs to quantitatively represent the elasticity of the displacement measurement regions RS1 and RS2, and for example, the displacement may be represented by a number.

  Further, the evaluation index display QG may be a bar B as shown in FIG. The bar B has a length in the vertical direction corresponding to the value of the evaluation index value Qn, and expands and contracts in the vertical direction as the evaluation index value Qn changes.

  Further, the bar B does not expand or contract in the vertical direction according to the evaluation index value Qn, but may change in color according to the evaluation index value Qn.

  In each of the embodiments, the displacement display SG is displayed in the memory reproduction mode. However, the displacement display SG may be displayed in the real time mode.

In each of the above embodiments, the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV have been described as the set area physical quantities in the present invention. However, the set area physical quantities are limited to such physical quantities themselves, that is, those that directly represent the physical quantities. It is not a thing. The set area physical quantity may indirectly represent the physical quantity calculated from the physical quantity such as the logarithm of the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV .

  Further, the elasticity data creation unit 5 may calculate the strain and elastic modulus of the living tissue instead of the displacement due to the deformation of the living tissue as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue.

1 Ultrasonic diagnostic device 5 Elasticity data creation unit (physical quantity calculation unit)
7 Display unit 9 Operation unit 62 Display image creation unit (display control unit)
63 Evaluation Index Calculation Unit 631 Evaluation Index Calculation Physical Quantity Average Unit 632 Ratio Calculation Unit (Comparison Unit)
633 Correlation coefficient averaging unit 634 Multiplying unit G Ultrasound image BG B-mode image EG Elasticity image QG Evaluation index display Qn Evaluation index value SG Displacement display (physical quantity display)
RS1, RS2 Displacement measurement area

Claims (14)

A correlation window is set for two temporally different echo data on the same sound ray obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a biological tissue, and a correlation calculation is performed between the correlation windows to calculate a physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the biological tissue. A physical quantity calculating unit to
A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image;
Display control for displaying a physical quantity display representing a temporal change in a set area physical quantity that is a representative value of the physical quantity in the set area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the ultrasonic image among the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculator. And
An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index for the set area physical quantity,
The display controller, the physical quantity display and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that to display the combined time phase and a metric indication indicating a time variation of the evaluation index. A correlation window is set for two temporally different echo data on the same sound ray obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a biological tissue, and a correlation calculation is performed between the correlation windows to calculate a physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the biological tissue. A physical quantity calculating unit to
A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image;
Display control for displaying a physical quantity display representing a temporal change in a set area physical quantity that is a representative value of the physical quantity in the set area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the ultrasonic image among the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculator. And
An evaluation index calculation unit that calculates an evaluation index for the set area physical quantity,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the display control unit displays the physical quantity display in a form capable of recognizing whether or not the evaluation index is a time phase satisfying a predetermined criterion. The evaluation index calculating unit calculates an evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculating unit for each frame, and a calculated value for each frame by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison unit configured to compare with a preset average value of the physical quantities, and using a comparison result by the comparison unit as the evaluation index.   4. The ultrasonic wave according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average unit calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation calculation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed. Diagnostic device.   5. The super-value according to claim 3, wherein the comparison unit calculates, as the comparison result, a ratio of a calculated value by the physical quantity average unit for evaluation index calculation to a preset average value of the physical quantity. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The evaluation index calculation unit includes a correlation coefficient average unit that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in the correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame, and a calculation result by the correlation coefficient average unit is used as the evaluation index. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The evaluation index calculation unit is set in advance with an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit that calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for each correlation window in which a correlation calculation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed for each frame. A ratio calculation unit that calculates a ratio of a calculated value by the physical quantity average unit for evaluation index calculation to an average value of the physical quantity, and a correlation coefficient average that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in a correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame And a multiplication unit that multiplies the calculation value of the ratio calculation unit and the calculation value of the correlation coefficient averaging unit, and the calculation result by the multiplication unit is used as the evaluation index. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the multiplication unit performs a weighting operation on a calculated value of the ratio calculating unit and a calculated value of the correlation coefficient average unit. The evaluation index calculation unit is set in advance with an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit that calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for each correlation window in which a correlation calculation of a correlation coefficient equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed for each frame. A ratio calculation unit that calculates a ratio of a calculated value by the physical quantity average unit for evaluation index calculation to an average value of the physical quantity, and a correlation coefficient average that calculates an average of correlation coefficients in a correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame And a multiplication unit that multiplies the calculated value of the ratio calculation unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient average unit, and the calculation result by the ratio calculation unit and the calculation result by the correlation coefficient average unit The calculation result selected by the operation unit that inputs an instruction for selecting any of the calculation results by the multiplication unit is used as the evaluation index. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The said evaluation index calculation part has a compression state calculation part which calculates the compression state with respect to a biological tissue, The calculation result of this compression state calculation part is used as the said evaluation index. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   11. The ultra-high pressure according to claim 10, wherein the compressed state is an average value of the physical quantities or a pressure applied to a body surface of a living body in an area where an elastic image of a living tissue is created based on the physical quantities. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting area physical quantity is an average of physical quantities for each pixel in the setting area.   13. The ultrasonic image according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic image is an image obtained by synthesizing an elastic image of a biological tissue created based on the physical quantity with a B-mode image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic image is a B-mode image.

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