JP5626986B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a three-dimensional elastic image and a control program therefor.

  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. By observing the elastic image, for example, it is possible to diagnose a tumor displayed as a region harder than normal living tissue.

  The elastic image is created as follows. First, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received while deforming a living tissue by repeatedly pressing and relaxing the living tissue with an ultrasonic probe, for example, to acquire an echo. Based on the obtained echo data, physical quantity data relating to the elasticity of the living tissue is created, and the physical quantity data is converted into color information to create a color elasticity image. Incidentally, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, a strain of the living tissue is calculated.

Japanese Patent No. 3932482

  By the way, an image obtained by combining the B-mode image and the elastic image is a two-dimensional image. For this reason, it is difficult to grasp the three-dimensional shape of an observation target such as a tumor. Therefore, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying a three-dimensional elasticity image is desired.

  However, if a three-dimensional elastic image is created based on the physical quantity data using a normal volume rendering method or the like, a three-dimensional elastic image in which a tumor cannot be identified may be obtained. Therefore, the inventor of the present application uses a technique such as volume rendering on the basis of physical quantity data in a predetermined elasticity range in order to create a three-dimensional elasticity image of an observation target having a predetermined elasticity such as a tumor. I am thinking about creating.

  Here, when diagnosing the malignancy of a tumor by looking at an elastic image, the diagnosis may be performed based on the distribution degree of a region harder than normal tissue and a region softer than this hard region within the tumor. However, when a three-dimensional elasticity image based on physical quantity data that is harder than a predetermined elasticity is displayed so that the entire shape of the tumor is displayed as a three-dimensional elasticity image, the physical quantity data that is softer than the predetermined hardness is the third order. Since the original elastic image data is not created, it is difficult to understand the distribution of the soft part inside the tumor. Accordingly, the present inventors have intensively studied an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying a three-dimensional elastic image that can know the three-dimensional distribution of biological tissues having different elasticity, and have arrived at the present invention.

  An invention made to solve the above-described problems includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in a three-dimensional region of a subject to acquire an echo signal, and elasticity of biological tissue in the subject based on the echo signal. A physical quantity data creation unit for creating physical quantity data relating to the first three-dimensional region setting unit for setting a first three-dimensional region in the echo signal acquisition region, and a second in the first three-dimensional region. A second three-dimensional region setting unit for setting the three-dimensional region, and the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional region, the first three-dimensional based on the physical quantity data in a first elasticity range A first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit for creating elasticity image data; and the physical quantity data in the second three-dimensional region, wherein the second elasticity is different from the first elasticity range. Range of said A second 3D elastic image data creation unit for creating second 3D elastic image data based on the theoretical data, and the first 3D elastic image data and the second 3D elastic image data are synthesized. A composite unit that generates composite 3D elastic image data, a first 3D elastic image based on the first 3D elastic image data, and a second 3D based on the second 3D elastic image data An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display image control unit configured to display a combined three-dimensional elastic image including an elastic image based on the combined three-dimensional elastic image data.

  According to the invention of the above aspect, a composite three-dimensional elasticity image obtained by synthesizing a three-dimensional elasticity image based on physical quantity data in different elasticity ranges is displayed, so that the three-dimensional distribution of biological tissue having different elasticity is known. Can do.

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 a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the elasticity image data preparation part in the display control part shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the 1st and 2nd three-dimensional area | region set in the acquisition area | region of an echo signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part on which the ultrasonic image and synthetic | combination three-dimensional elasticity image about the orthogonal three cross section with which the B mode image and the elasticity image were synthesize | combined were displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part on which the ultrasonic image about the three orthogonal cross section by which the B mode image and the elasticity image were synthesize | combined was displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the process for displaying a synthetic | combination three-dimensional elasticity image. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part by which the 1st area | region was set to the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part by which the 2nd area | region was set to the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a figure which shows an example of the range of 1st and 2nd elasticity. It is a figure which shows the other example of the range of 1st and 2nd elasticity. It is a figure which shows the other example of the range of 1st and 2nd elasticity. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part on which the synthetic | combination three-dimensional elasticity image was displayed in addition to the ultrasonic image about the orthogonal three cross section with which the B mode image and the elasticity image were synthesize | combined. It is a figure for demonstrating the interpolation of the boundary part which has a recessed part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 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, a physical quantity data creation unit 5, a display control unit 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a control unit 9, and An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 10 is provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue and receives an echo thereof. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an ultrasonic probe capable of acquiring volume data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves for a three-dimensional region, and is a so-called mechanical 3D probe that mechanically scans a three-dimensional region, or electronically. It is composed of a 3D probe that scans a three-dimensional region. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe in the present invention. While the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of the living tissue, compression and relaxation are repeated, or an acoustic radiation pressure is applied from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue, so that the ultrasonic wave is deformed. Based on the echo data acquired by performing transmission / reception, an elastic image is created as described later.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition based on a control signal from the control unit 9 to perform ultrasonic scanning for each sound ray. The transmitter / receiver 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo signal signal-processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B-mode data creation unit 4 and the physical quantity data creation unit 5.

  The B-mode data creation unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo signal data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to create B-mode data. The B mode data is output from the B mode data creation unit 4 to the display control unit 6.

  The physical quantity data creation unit 5 creates physical quantity data (physical quantity data) related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue based on the data of the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 (physical quantity calculation function). The physical quantity data creation unit 5 sets a correlation window for temporally different echo data on the same sound ray on one scanning plane as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-126079. The physical quantity relating to the elasticity is calculated by performing a correlation operation in step (b), and the physical quantity data is created for each surface of the acquisition region R of the three-dimensional echo signal. Examples of the physical quantity relating to elasticity include strain. The physical quantity data creation unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity calculation unit in the present invention, and the physical quantity calculation function is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity calculation function in the present invention.

  Incidentally, the correlation window corresponds to a pixel. Therefore, distortion data for each pixel is obtained by the correlation calculation between the correlation windows.

  The display control unit 6 is inputted with B mode data from the B mode data creation unit 4 and physical quantity data from the physical quantity data creation unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 6 includes a memory 61, a B-mode image data creation unit 62, an elastic image data creation unit 63, and a display image control unit 64.

  The memory 61 stores B-mode data and physical quantity data in the echo signal acquisition region R. Therefore, the B mode data and physical quantity data stored in the memory 61 are volume data. The B-mode data and the physical quantity data are stored in the memory 61 as data for each sound ray.

  The memory 61 is composed of a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Incidentally, the B-mode data and the physical quantity data may be stored in the HDD 10 as well.

  Here, the data of the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2 and before being converted into B-mode image data and elastic image data described later are referred to as raw data (Raw Data). The B mode data and physical quantity data stored in the memory 61 are raw data.

  The B-mode image data creating unit 62 scan-converts the B-mode data with a scan converter, and creates B-mode image data having luminance information corresponding to the signal intensity of the echo signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the B-mode image data creation unit 62 creates the B-mode image data for three cross sections XY, YZ, ZX orthogonal to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic image data creation unit 63 includes a gradation data creation unit 631, a two-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 632, a first three-dimensional region setting unit 633, and a second three-dimensional region setting. A unit 634, a first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635, a second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636, and a synthesis unit 637.

  The gradation data creation unit 631 creates gradation data based on the physical quantity data, as will be described later. The gradation data creating unit 631 creates the gradation data for each surface of the echo signal acquisition region R, and obtains gradation data as volume data.

  The two-dimensional elastic image data creation unit 632 creates two-dimensional elastic image data by scanning and converting the gradation data using a scan converter. The two-dimensional elastic image data creation unit 632 creates two-dimensional elastic image data for the three cross sections XY, YZ, and ZX. The two-dimensional elastic image data creation unit 632 is an example of an embodiment of a two-dimensional elastic image data creation unit in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first three-dimensional region setting unit 633 sets a first three-dimensional region R1 in the three-dimensional echo signal acquisition region R (first three-dimensional region setting function). ). The second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 sets a second three-dimensional region R2 in the first three-dimensional region R1 (second three-dimensional region setting function). Details will be described later. The first three-dimensional region setting unit 633 and the second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 are examples of embodiments of the first three-dimensional region setting unit and the second three-dimensional region setting unit in the present invention. is there.

  The first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 is the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional area R1, and is based on the physical quantity data in the first elasticity range E1 (see FIG. 14). One 3D elasticity image data is created (first 3D elasticity image data creation function). The second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636 is the physical quantity data in the second three-dimensional region R2, and is a second elasticity range different from the first elasticity range E1. Second 3D elasticity image data based on the physical quantity data of E2 (see FIG. 14) is created (second 3D elasticity image data creation function). In this example, the first and second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation units 635 and 636 perform volume rendering or the like on the gradation data in the first and second elasticity ranges E1 and E2. Image processing such as surface rendering is performed to generate the first and second three-dimensional elastic image data. Details will be described later. The first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 and the second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636 are the first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit and the second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation in the present invention. It is an example of embodiment of a part.

  The synthesizing unit 637 synthesizes the first three-dimensional elasticity image data and the second three-dimensional elasticity image data to create synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image data (synthesis function). Details will be described later. The combining unit 637 is an example of an embodiment of a combining unit in the present invention.

  The display image control unit 64 synthesizes the B-mode image data and the two-dimensional elastic image data, and, as shown in FIG. 6, a two-dimensional ultrasonic wave obtained by synthesizing the B-mode image BG and the elastic image EG. Images G1, G2, and G3 are displayed on the display unit 7. The ultrasonic image G1 is an image regarding the cross section XY, the ultrasonic image G2 is an image regarding the cross section YZ, and the ultrasonic image G3 is an image regarding the cross section ZX. The display image control unit 64 displays an image based on data obtained by adding the B-mode image data and the two-dimensional elastic image data as the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. In these ultrasonic images G1 to G3, the elastic image EG is an image having a color corresponding to the elasticity of the living tissue, and is displayed translucently on the B-mode image BG, for example.

  The display image control unit 64 causes the display unit 7 to display a combined three-dimensional elastic image G4 based on the combined three-dimensional elastic image data (display image control function). The display image control unit 64 is an example of an embodiment of a display image control unit in the present invention.

  The display unit 7 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation unit 8 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information.

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in the HDD 10, reads the physical quantity calculation function, the first and second three-dimensional region setting functions, the first Functions in each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 including the first and second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation function, the synthesis function, and the display image control function are executed.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. First, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is started to acquire volume data. More specifically, the transmission / reception unit 3 transmits an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue of the subject and acquires an echo signal thereof. At this time, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in the three-dimensional region while deforming the living tissue.

  An echo signal obtained by transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is subjected to signal processing by the transmission / reception unit 3 and then input to the B-mode data generation unit 4 and the physical quantity data generation unit 5. The B-mode data creation unit 4 creates the B-mode data, and the physical quantity data creation unit 5 creates the physical quantity data. The B mode data and the physical quantity data are stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10. The B-mode data and the physical quantity data stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10 are volume data for a three-dimensional echo signal acquisition area.

  Next, the B-mode image data creation unit 62 creates B-mode image data for the three cross sections XY, YZ, and ZX based on the B-mode data. The gradation data creation unit 631 creates gradation data based on the physical quantity data. Specifically, the gradation data creating unit 631 performs gradation processing on the distortion data calculated for each correlation window to N gradations (for example, N = 256), and includes gradation value data. Create gradation data.

  The two-dimensional elastic image data creation unit 632 scan-converts the gradation data to create two-dimensional elastic image data for the three cross sections XY, YZ, and ZX. Then, the display image control unit 64, as shown in FIG. 7, based on the B-mode image data and the two-dimensional elastic image data, the ultrasonic images G1 to GX for the three cross sections XY, YZ, ZX. G3 is displayed on the display unit 7.

  Next, the display of the synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image G4 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the first three-dimensional region setting unit 633 sets the first three-dimensional region R1 by setting the first regions r11, r12, r13 as shown in FIG. . More specifically, first, the operator uses the trackball or the like of the operation unit 8 to select the first regions r11 to r13 in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 displayed on the display unit 7. The instruction is input so that the position is reached. These first regions r11 to r13 are set around a portion to be displayed as a first three-dimensional elastic image G41, which will be described later, and in this example, a tumor that is an observation target displayed in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. Set around C. In the ultrasonic images G11 to G13, when there is a noise or a portion of tissue different from the tumor displayed as having the same elasticity as that of the tumor C, the first image is not included. It is desirable that one region r11 to r13 is set.

  Incidentally, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, the mass C is displayed in a color indicating that it is harder than the surrounding normal tissue. In the figure of this example, the mass C is shown as a portion dh having a higher dot density than the surroundings and a portion dl having a dot density lower than the portion dh. The part dh is a harder part than the surrounding normal tissue, and the part dl is a softer part than the part dh.

  When the positions of the first regions r11 to r13 are determined, the first three-dimensional region setting unit 633 sets the first three-dimensional region R1. The setting of the first three-dimensional region R1 will be described in further detail. The first region r11 is a region set in the cross section XY. When the first region r11 is set, as shown in FIG. 10, a quadrangular prism region rp11 having a cross section of the region r11 and a depth in the z-axis direction is assumed. The second region r12 is a region set in the cross section YZ, and when the second region r12 is set, the region r12 is a cross section and the x-axis direction is depth as shown in FIG. A quadrangular prism region rp12 is assumed. Further, the third region r13 is a region set in the cross section ZX. When this third region r13 is set, the region r13 is a cross section and the y-axis direction is the depth as shown in FIG. A quadrangular prism region rp13 is assumed. A region where the quadrangular prism regions rp11, rp12, and rp13 overlap is the first three-dimensional region R1.

  Next, in step S2, the second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 sets the second three-dimensional region R2 by setting the second regions r21, r22, r23 as shown in FIG. To do. More specifically, first, the operator uses the trackball or the like of the operation unit 8 to select the second regions r21 to r23 in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 displayed on the display unit 7. The instruction is input so that the position is reached. These second regions r21 to r23 are set inside the first regions r11 to r13 and around a portion having elasticity to be displayed as a second three-dimensional elastic image g42 described later. In this example, it is set inside the tumor C and around the portion dl.

  Next, in step S3, the first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 creates first three-dimensional elasticity image data, and the second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636 creates a second three-dimensional elasticity image data. Create elastic image data. More specifically, the first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 is the gradation data in the first three-dimensional region R1, and as shown in FIG. Image processing such as volume rendering and surface rendering is performed on the gradation data in the range E1. The obtained data is scan-converted by a scan converter to create first three-dimensional elasticity image data.

  The second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 is the gradation data in the second three-dimensional region R2, and the gradation data in the second elasticity range E2. Image processing such as volume rendering and surface rendering is performed on the target. The obtained data is scan-converted by a scan converter to create second three-dimensional elasticity image data.

  The first and second elastic ranges E1 and E2 will be described. The predetermined elasticity range is set in gradation values from 0 to N in the gradation data. A number line l shown in FIG. 14 is a number line representing (N + 1) gradations with gradation values 0 to N. In this number line l, the smaller the gradation value (tone value 0 side), the smaller the distortion and the harder the living tissue, and the larger the gradation value (tone value N side), the larger the distortion and the living tissue. It should be soft.

  The first elasticity range E1 is set to the elasticity range of the portion to be displayed as the first three-dimensional elasticity image g41. In this example, the first elastic range E1 is set to a range of gradation values 0 to α. This range of gradation values 0 to α is the range of elasticity of the portion dh in the mass C.

  The second elasticity range E2 is set to the elasticity range of the portion to be displayed as the second three-dimensional elasticity image g42. In this example, the second elasticity range E2 is set to a range of gradation values α to β (α <β). The range of the gradation values α to β is the elasticity range of the portion dl.

  Incidentally, in the first three-dimensional region R1, three-dimensional elasticity image data is created for gradation data below the gradation value β (a range including the elasticity of the part dl and the part dh). In this case, if the elasticity of the normal tissue around the portion dh corresponds to a tone value equal to or less than the tone value β, the portion around the portion dh is also a target for creating three-dimensional elasticity image data. In this case, a three-dimensional elastic image of the tumor C cannot be obtained. Therefore, the first and second three-dimensional regions R1 and R2 are set as described above, and the first three-dimensional elastic image data creation target in the first three-dimensional region R1 is set to a gradation value α or less. And the creation target of the second 3D elastic image data in the second 3D region R2 is the gradation data in the range of the gradation values α to β. Normal tissue can be excluded from the three-dimensional elasticity image, while the portion dl can be included in the three-dimensional elasticity image.

  In FIG. 14, the first and second elastic ranges E1 and E2 are set so as not to overlap with a continuous range, but may be set to different ranges, as shown in FIG. 14. It is not limited to. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first elasticity range E1 is set to a gradation value 0 to α, and the second elasticity range E2 is a gradation value γ to β (α <γ <β). And each may be set to a discontinuous range. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the first elasticity range E1 is set to a gradation value of 0 to α ′, and the second elasticity range E2 is set to a gradation value of δ to β (δ <α ′ < β) and may be set to have overlapping ranges.

  Next, in step S4, the combining unit 637 combines the first three-dimensional elastic image data and the second three-dimensional elastic image data to create combined three-dimensional elastic image data.

  The synthesizer 637 may create the synthesized 3D elasticity image data by adding the first 3D elasticity image data and the second 3D elasticity image data at a predetermined ratio. In this case, in the combined three-dimensional elastic image G4 (see FIG. 17) displayed in step S5 described later, the second three-dimensional elastic image g41 based on the first three-dimensional elastic image data is placed on the second three-dimensional elastic image g41. The second three-dimensional elasticity image g42 based on the three-dimensional elasticity image data is displayed in a translucent manner. Further, the combining unit 637 includes the first and second three-dimensional elastic images G4 so that the second three-dimensional elastic image g42 is superimposed on the first three-dimensional elastic image g41. The second three-dimensional elasticity image data may be synthesized.

  Next, in step S5, the display image control unit 64 causes the display unit 7 to display the synthesized 3D elasticity image G4 based on the synthesized 3D elasticity image data, as shown in FIG. The combined three-dimensional elasticity image G4 includes the first three-dimensional elasticity image g41 and the second three-dimensional elasticity image g42 having different colors. The first three-dimensional elastic image g41 is a three-dimensional image of the portion dh that is harder than the surrounding normal tissue, and the second three-dimensional elastic image g42 is a three-dimensional image of the portion dl that is softer than the portion dh. It is an image. Therefore, the three-dimensional distribution of the soft part inside the tumor C can be known by displaying the synthetic three-dimensional elasticity image G4.

  Next, a modification of the embodiment will be described. The second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 detects the contour of the tumor C to be observed in the first three-dimensional region R1, and the region surrounded by the contour is the second three-dimensional region R2. May be set as For example, the second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 may include a boundary between a gradation value equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value and a gradation value larger than the threshold value in the gradation data in the first three-dimensional region R1. Extract the part. The threshold value is set to a gradation value (for example, the gradation value α) corresponding to the elasticity of the portion dh so that the contour of the tumor C is extracted. As a result, the contour of the tumor C is extracted as a boundary portion between the gradation value equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold and the gradation value larger than the threshold. The second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 sets a region surrounded by the extracted outline of the tumor C as the second three-dimensional region R2.

  Further, the second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 uses, for example, a boundary part b having a recess d as shown in FIG. 18 as a boundary part between a gradation value equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value and a gradation value larger than the threshold value. In this case, a contour line ol (a one-dot chain line) that interpolates the concave portion d may be set in consideration of the continuity of the tumor as a sphere.

  The second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 may extract the mass C based on physical quantity data instead of gradation data. In this case, the second three-dimensional region setting unit 634 extracts a boundary portion between a strain equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold and a strain larger than the threshold in the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional region R1. The strain threshold is also set to a strain value corresponding to the elasticity of the portion dh so that the contour of the mass C is extracted. As a result, the contour of the tumor C is extracted as a boundary portion between the strain below the predetermined threshold and the strain greater than the threshold.

  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 physical quantity data creation unit 5 may calculate a displacement due to deformation of the living tissue, an elastic modulus, etc. instead of strain as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue. Further, by applying acoustic radiation pressure to the living tissue, a shear wave is generated in the living tissue, and based on the shear wave velocity, the hardness of the living tissue as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue ( Pa: Pascal) may be calculated. Incidentally, the velocity of the shear wave can be calculated based on an ultrasonic echo signal. Furthermore, the physical quantity relating to the elasticity of the living tissue may be calculated by other known methods.

  The first and second elastic ranges E1 and E2 are set in gradation values, but the invention is not limited to this, and may be set in physical quantities such as the distortion values. In this case, the first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 635 is the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional area R1, and the physical quantity in a predetermined range set as the first elasticity range. Image processing such as surface rendering and volume rendering is performed on the physical quantity data, and the obtained data is scan-converted to create the first three-dimensional elastic image data. The second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636 is physical quantity data in the second three-dimensional area R2, and is for a physical quantity in a predetermined range set as the second elasticity range. Image processing such as surface rendering and volume rendering is performed on the physical quantity data, and the obtained data is scan-converted to create the second three-dimensional elastic image data.

  Further, a plurality of the second three-dimensional regions R2 may be set. In this case, the second elasticity range that is the object of creation of the second three-dimensional elasticity image in each second three-dimensional area R2 may be different or the same.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasound probe 5 Physical quantity data creation part 64 Display image control part 631 Gradation data creation part 632 Two-dimensional elastic image data creation part 633 First three-dimensional area setting part 634 Second three-dimensional area Setting unit 635 First three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 636 Second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit 637 Composition unit

Claims (11)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for a three-dimensional region in a subject to acquire an echo signal;
A physical quantity data creating unit that creates physical quantity data related to the elasticity of the biological tissue in the subject based on the echo signal;
A first three-dimensional region setting unit for setting a first three-dimensional region in the acquisition region of the echo signal;
A second three-dimensional region setting unit for setting a second three-dimensional region in the first three-dimensional region;
A first three-dimensional elasticity image data creating unit that creates the first three-dimensional elasticity image data based on the physical quantity data in the first elasticity range, the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional region; ,
A said physical quantity data of the second three-dimensional region, creating a second set of three-dimensional elastic image data based on the physical quantity data in the range of the second elastic that is different from the range of the first elastic A second three-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit;
A combining unit that combines the first three-dimensional elastic image data and the second three-dimensional elastic image data to create combined three-dimensional elastic image data;
A synthesized 3D elasticity image including a first 3D elasticity image based on the first 3D elasticity image data and a second 3D elasticity image based on the second 3D elasticity image data, A display image control unit to display based on the original elasticity image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a two-dimensional elasticity image data creation unit that creates two-dimensional elasticity image data of a living tissue based on the physical quantity data for a plurality of cross sections orthogonal to each other. The first three-dimensional region setting unit is configured to determine the first three-dimensional region based on a region input and designated in a two-dimensional elastic image having a plurality of cross sections orthogonal to each other displayed based on the two-dimensional elastic image data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set. The second three-dimensional region setting unit determines the second three-dimensional region based on a region input and indicated in a two-dimensional elastic image of a plurality of cross sections orthogonal to each other displayed based on the two-dimensional elastic image data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set.   The second three-dimensional region setting unit extracts an observation target having a predetermined elasticity in the first three-dimensional region, and sets the observation target as the second three-dimensional region. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second three-dimensional region setting unit extracts an observation target having the predetermined elasticity based on a physical quantity having a predetermined threshold in the physical quantity data. . The second three-dimensional region setting unit performs the extraction of the observation target having the predetermined elasticity based on a gradation value of a predetermined threshold in gradation data obtained by gradation of the physical quantity data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5.   The first and second three-dimensional elastic image data creation units perform image processing on the physical quantity data to create the first and second three-dimensional elastic image data. Item 8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 7.   The first and second three-dimensional elastic image data creation units perform image processing on gradation data obtained by gradationing the physical quantity data to perform the first and second three-dimensional elasticity image data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:   The display image control unit displays the first three-dimensional elasticity image and the second three-dimensional elasticity image in different colors in the synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of Claims. On the computer,
Physical quantity data creation function for creating physical quantity data related to elasticity of biological tissue in a subject based on an echo signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a three-dimensional region in the subject by an ultrasonic probe;
A first three-dimensional area setting function for setting a first three-dimensional area in the acquisition area of the echo signal;
A second three-dimensional region setting function for setting a second three-dimensional region in the first three-dimensional region;
A first three-dimensional elasticity image data creation function for creating first three-dimensional elasticity image data based on the physical quantity data in the first elasticity range, the physical quantity data in the first three-dimensional region; ,
A said physical quantity data of the second three-dimensional region, creating a second set of three-dimensional elastic image data based on the physical quantity data in the range of the second elastic that is different from the range of the first elastic A second 3D elasticity image data creation function;
A synthesis function for synthesizing the first three-dimensional elasticity image data and the second three-dimensional elasticity image data to create synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image data;
A synthesized 3D elasticity image including a first 3D elasticity image based on the first 3D elasticity image data and a second 3D elasticity image based on the second 3D elasticity image data, A display image control function to display based on the original elastic image data;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that

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