JP5645524B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a program for acquiring an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered.

  When performing an ultrasound examination, a contrast examination is known in which a contrast medium is administered to a subject and an early phase examination and a late phase examination are performed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-075586

When performing a contrast examination, the operator may have to scan while confirming the elapsed time since the contrast medium was administered to the subject. Therefore, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can display this elapsed time on a display unit has become widespread. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the elapsed time is displayed on the display unit, the operator can easily check the elapsed time.
However, in contrast imaging in which the early phase examination and the late phase examination are performed, a certain waiting time may be required between the early phase examination and the late phase examination due to the nature of the late phase examination. Generally, the operator often leaves the examination room during the waiting time, but if the operator leaves the examination room, there is a problem that it is difficult to see the elapsed time displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is desirable that the elapsed time can be easily confirmed even when the operator leaves the examination room.

A first aspect of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal. ,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to be executed;
This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal. There,
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. Contrast timer display control processing,
Is a program for causing a computer to execute.

  By executing the enlarged display mode, the contrast timer can be visually recognized.

1 is an overview diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a display control unit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the contrast examination of a liver. It is the schematic which shows the test room 21 for test | inspecting a test object, and the separate room 22 adjacent to the test room 21. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display part 6 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the operator 11 is doing another operation | work during the waiting time W. FIG. It is a figure explaining the procedure at the time of performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the test | inspection room 21 and the separate room 22 when the contrast timer is expanded and displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display part 6 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a screen when the expanded contrast timer 6c disappears. It is a figure explaining the procedure when performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the procedure when performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, although the form for inventing is demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the following forms.

  FIG. 1 is an overview diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the display control unit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. It is a block diagram which shows a detailed structure.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 9. have.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject using an ultrasonic transducer and receives the echo signal.

  In response to the control signal from the control unit 8, the transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined transmission condition to scan the scan surface. The transmission / reception unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2, and outputs the echo data after the signal processing to the echo data processing unit 4.

  The echo data processing unit 4 performs predetermined processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display control unit 5 includes an image data creation unit 51, a memory 52, an image display control unit 53, an elapsed time counting unit 54, and a contrast timer display control unit 55.

  The image data creation unit 51 converts the echo data output from the echo data processing unit 4 into ultrasonic image data by a scan converter.

  The memory 52 is configured by a semiconductor memory (Memory) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), for example. The memory 52 stores, for example, echo data output from the echo data processing unit 4 and ultrasonic image data created by the image data creation unit 51.

  The image display control unit 53 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasound image represented by the ultrasound image data created by the image data creation unit 51.

  The elapsed time counting unit 54 counts the elapsed time t from the administration of the contrast agent. Further, the elapsed time counting unit 54 starts counting the elapsed time t when information indicating the point in time when the administration of the contrast agent is input from the operation unit 7.

  The contrast timer display control unit 55 causes the display unit 6 to display a contrast timer (for example, refer to FIG. 10) that represents the elapsed time t from the administration of the contrast agent. The contrast timer display control unit 55 executes two display modes, a standard display mode and an enlarged display mode. The standard display mode is a display mode in which the contrast timer is displayed on the display unit 6 in a standard size, while the enlarged display mode is a display mode in which the contrast timer is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 6 compared to the standard display mode. It is.

  The display unit 6 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation unit 7 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information. The operation unit 7 is an example of an operation unit in the present invention.

  The control unit 8 reads out a control program stored in the HDD 9 and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100.

  The HDD 9 stores a control program, ultrasonic image data created by the image data creation unit 51, and the like.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is configured as described above.
In the first embodiment, the contrast timer display control unit 55 includes an enlarged display mode for enlarging and displaying the contrast timer in addition to the standard display mode. As described above, by providing both the standard display mode and the enlarged display mode, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that cannot be obtained only in the standard display mode when performing a contrast examination. In the following, in order to explain this advantageous effect, it will be described what kind of problems exist when the contrast timer display control unit 55 has only the standard display mode.

  4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining problems that occur when the contrast timer display control unit has only the standard display mode when performing a contrast examination. In the following, a case where a liver contrast test is performed as a contrast test will be described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where another region other than the liver is contrast-enhanced.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a contrast examination of the liver.
The contrast examination of the liver has an early phase examination and a late phase examination.

  The early phase examination is performed from the administration of the contrast agent until the time Ta elapses. The time Ta is, for example, 60 seconds to 120 seconds. The late phase test is a test for confirming whether or not the contrast medium is taken into the liver parenchyma, and is started when a time Tb (> Ta) has elapsed since the contrast medium was administered. The time Tb is, for example, 6 minutes to 12 minutes. Further, due to the nature of the late phase examination, a certain waiting time W is provided after the early phase examination is completed and before the late phase examination is started.

  Hereinafter, how the operator performs contrast examination of the liver will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an examination room 21 for examining a subject and a separate room 22 adjacent to the examination room 21, and FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen of the display unit 6 shown in FIG. FIG.

  The operator 11 guides the subject 12 to the examination room 21 and places the subject 12 on the bed 210 of the examination room 21. Then, a contrast agent is administered to the subject 12 and an early phase examination is performed while viewing the display unit 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100.

  When the operator 11 operates the operation unit 7 (see FIG. 2) to administer the contrast agent to the subject 12, the operator 11 inputs information indicating the time when administration of the contrast agent is started. In the first embodiment, when the operator 11 clicks the start button 6a (see FIG. 6), information indicating the time point when the administration of the contrast medium is started is input. When this button 6a is clicked, the elapsed time counting unit 54 (see FIG. 3) starts from the administration of the contrast agent with the time t1 (see FIG. 4) at which the button 6a is clicked as the administration start time of the projection agent. The elapsed time t is counted. The contrast timer display control unit 55 (see FIG. 3) executes the standard display mode, and the contrast timer 6b represents the elapsed time t counted by the elapsed time count unit 54 and represents the elapsed time t since the contrast agent was administered. Is displayed on the display unit 6.

  Further, the operator 11 scans the liver in the early phase using the ultrasonic probe 2 and performs the early phase examination. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave and acquires an echo signal from the subject 12. When the echo signal is acquired, the echo data processing unit 4 (see FIG. 2) performs a predetermined process on the echo data. The image data creation unit 51 (see FIG. 3) converts the echo data output from the echo data processing unit 4 into ultrasonic image data. The image display control unit 53 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image represented by the ultrasonic image data. An ultrasonic image is displayed on the display unit 6 at a constant frame rate. In FIGS. 5 and 6, since the display time of the contrast timer 6b is “0:16”, the ultrasound image G0 is an image when 16 seconds have elapsed since the contrast agent was administered.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the examination time Ta of the early phase examination is, for example, the time from 60 seconds to 120 seconds after the contrast medium is administered. After completing the early phase examination, the operator 11 performs a later phase examination for confirming whether or not the contrast medium is taken into the liver parenchyma. However, since the late phase examination is started when a time Tb (for example, 6 minutes to 12 minutes) has elapsed since the contrast medium was administered, the operator 11 immediately follows the late phase examination. Instead of starting the inspection, as shown in FIG. 4, after the early phase inspection is completed, a certain waiting time W is provided and the late phase inspection is started. Therefore, the operator 11 provides a waiting time W between the end point t2 of the early phase inspection and the start point t3 of the late phase inspection. The waiting time W is, for example, about 5 minutes to 10 minutes. Since the subject 12 is not scanned during the waiting time W, the operator 11 stops transmitting ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 and returns the probe 2 to the probe holder 2A. Then, the operator 11 may perform another work during the waiting time W (see FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the operator 11 is performing another work during the waiting time W.
During the waiting time W, the operator 11 may perform another work such as going out of the examination room 21 and writing a finding in the separate room 22. However, since it is necessary for the operator 11 to start the late phase examination after the time Tb (for example, 6 minutes to 12 minutes) has elapsed since the contrast medium was administered, the contrast timer 6b is also used during the waiting time W. It is necessary to confirm the elapsed time t. Since the contrast timer 6b is displayed on the display unit 6, the operator 11 can check the elapsed time t of the contrast timer 6b by looking at the display unit 6. However, as shown in FIG. 7, since the contrast timer is displayed small in the lower left corner of the display unit 6, if the operator 11 remains in the separate room 22, the display of the contrast timer 6 b is too small, The elapsed time t of the contrast timer 6b cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, the operator 11 needs to move from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21 and look into the display unit 6 in order to visually recognize the elapsed time t of the contrast timer 6b. The operator 11 looking into the display unit 6 confirms the elapsed time t of the contrast timer 6b, and moves to the separate room 22 from the examination room 21 again when it is determined that it is still early to start the late phase examination. Therefore, during the waiting time W, the operator 11 needs to reciprocate several times between the examination room 21 and the separate room 22 and feels troublesome. Therefore, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the contrast timer display control unit 55 has an enlarged display mode in addition to the standard display mode in order to eliminate this troublesomeness. The reason why the contrast timer display control unit 55 can eliminate the troublesomeness by providing the enlarged display mode will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a procedure when a contrast examination is performed using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The operator 11 administers a contrast medium to the subject 12 and performs an early phase examination. The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the operation performed by the operator 11 in the early phase examination are the same as the procedure described with reference to FIGS.

  When the early phase inspection is completed, the operator 11 stops transmitting ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 and returns the probe 2 to the probe holder 2A. In FIG. 8, “t21” indicates a point in time when transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 is stopped. Then, the operator 11 moves to another room 22 (see FIG. 7) and performs another work. On the other hand, the contrast timer display control unit 55 starts an enlargement display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b at time t22 when the time Tc has elapsed from time t1. The time Tc is set in advance so as to be longer than Ta and shorter than Tb. Therefore, the enlarged display mode is started in the middle of the waiting time W. By starting the enlarged display mode, the contrast timer 6b is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 6 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the examination room 21 and the separate room 22 when the contrast timer is enlarged and displayed, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display unit 6 shown in FIG.

  An enlarged contrast timer 6 c is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 6. Therefore, the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6 c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21. In addition, since the contrast timer 6c can be visually recognized from the separate room 22, the operator 11 does not need to reciprocate between the examination room 21 and the separate room 22 during the waiting time W, and writes the findings. Can work on other tasks efficiently.

  The operator 11 checks the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 during the waiting time W, and returns to the examination room 21 from the separate room 22 when the time for starting the late phase examination approaches. The operator 11 returning to the examination room 21 first operates the operation unit 7 and inputs a command for ending the enlarged display mode. In the first embodiment, when the operator 11 clicks the enlargement display end button 6d, a command for ending the enlargement display mode is input. When this command is input, the contrast timer display control unit 55 ends the enlarged display mode (in FIG. 8, the end point of the enlarged display mode is indicated by t23). Therefore, the enlarged display mode is executed for the time Te, but is ended when a command for ending the enlarged display mode is input. When the contrast timer display control unit 55 ends the enlarged display mode, the enlarged contrast timer 6c disappears from the screen of the display unit 6 (see FIG. 11).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen when the enlarged contrast timer 6c disappears.
The operator 11 deletes the enlarged contrast timer 6c from the screen of the display unit 6 and then restarts transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 to perform a late phase examination. In this way, the contrast examination is completed.

  In the first embodiment, the enlarged contrast timer 6 c is displayed on the display unit 6 during the waiting time W. Therefore, since the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21, during the waiting time W, the operator 11 can move between the examination room 21 and the separate room 22. There is no need to go back and forth many times, and other tasks such as writing findings can be carried out efficiently.

  In addition, since the start time t22 of the enlarged display mode is delayed by Td from the end time t2 of the early phase inspection, the operator 11 cannot visually recognize the contrast timer from the separate room 22 during the time Td. However, since the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed at time t22, the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 after time t22. Therefore, if the time from the start time t22 of the enlarged display mode to the start time t3 of the late phase examination is sufficiently secured, even if there is a time Td in which the contrast timer cannot be visually recognized from the separate room 22, the operator 11 Until the phase inspection is started, another work can be performed without rushing in the separate room 22.

  In the first embodiment, the time Tc is set longer than the time Ta. However, the time Tc may be shorter than the time Ta.

  In the first embodiment, when the operator 11 clicks the enlargement display end button 6d, the contrast timer display control unit 55 ends the enlargement display mode. However, when the operator 11 resumes transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe 2, the contrast timer display control unit 55 may end the enlarged display mode.

  In the first embodiment, both a standard size contrast timer 6b and an enlarged contrast timer 6c are displayed (see FIG. 10). However, while the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed, the contrast timer 6b having a standard size may be hidden.

(2) Second Embodiment Regarding the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, differences from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment starts an enlarged display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b at a time t22 when the time Tc has elapsed from the administration start time t1 of the contrast agent. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured to start the enlarged display mode when a predetermined time Tf has elapsed from time t21 when transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 is stopped. Yes. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operator 11 administers a contrast medium to the subject 12 and performs an early phase examination. The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the operation performed by the operator in the early phase examination are the same as the procedure described with reference to FIGS.

  When the early phase inspection is completed, the operator 11 stops transmitting ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 and returns the probe 2 to the probe holder 2A. Then, the operator 11 moves to another room 22 (see FIG. 7) and performs another work. On the other hand, the contrast timer display control unit 55 starts an enlargement display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b at a time t22 when the time Tf has elapsed from the time t21 when the transmission of the ultrasonic wave was stopped. Since the time Tf is set in advance to a time sufficiently shorter than the waiting time W (for example, 2 to 3 minutes), the enlarged display mode is started in the middle of the waiting time W. By starting the enlarged display mode, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed on the display unit 6 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6 c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 11.

  The operator 11 checks the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 during the waiting time W, and returns to the examination room 21 from the separate room 22 when the time for starting the late phase examination approaches. When returning to the examination room 21, the operator turns off the enlarged contrast timer 6c from the screen of the display unit 6 and conducts the late phase examination, as in the first embodiment. In this way, the contrast examination is completed.

  In the second embodiment, since the enlarged display mode is started at the time t22 when the time Tf has elapsed from the time t21 when the transmission of the ultrasonic wave is stopped, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is in the middle of the waiting time W. Is displayed. Therefore, since the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21, during the waiting time W, the operator 11 can move between the examination room 21 and the separate room 22. There is no need to go back and forth many times, and other tasks such as writing findings can be carried out efficiently.

(3) Third Embodiment In the first and second embodiments, the operator 11 has moved to the separate chamber 22 after stopping the transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe 2. However, in the third embodiment, a case where the operator 11 moves to the separate room 22 while transmitting ultrasonic waves from the probe 2 will be described.

  Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment starts an enlarged display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b at a time t22 when the time Tc has elapsed from the administration start time t1 of the contrast agent. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment is configured to start the enlarged display mode when the probe 2 has not been applied to the subject for a predetermined time Th. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  The procedure for performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a procedure when performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  The operator 11 administers a contrast medium to the subject 12 and performs an early phase examination. The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the operation performed by the operator in the early phase examination are the same as the procedure described with reference to FIGS.

  When the early phase inspection is completed, the operator 11 returns the probe 2 to the probe holder 2A while transmitting the ultrasonic wave from the probe 2. Then, the operator 11 moves to another room 22 (see FIG. 7) and performs another work. Since the probe 2 is not applied to the subject during the waiting time W, the contrast timer display control unit 55 performs the time t22 when the time Th has elapsed from the starting time t2 of the waiting time W (the end time of the early phase examination). Then, an enlargement display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b is started (Note that, for example, a technique described in Japanese Patent No. 2987723 is used as a method for determining whether or not the probe 2 is not applied to the subject. can do). Since the time Th is set in advance to a time sufficiently shorter than the waiting time W (for example, 2 to 3 minutes), the enlarged display mode is started in the middle of the waiting time W. By starting the enlarged display mode, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed on the display unit 6 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6 c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 11.

  The operator 11 checks the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 during the waiting time W, and returns to the examination room 21 from the separate room 22 when the time for starting the late phase examination approaches. When returning to the examination room 21, the operator turns off the enlarged contrast timer 6c from the screen of the display unit 6 and conducts the late phase examination, as in the first embodiment. In this way, the contrast examination is completed.

  In the third embodiment, since the enlarged display mode is started when the probe 2 has not been applied to the subject for a predetermined time Th, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed during the waiting time W. The Therefore, since the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21, during the waiting time W, the operator 11 can move between the examination room 21 and the separate room 22. There is no need to go back and forth many times, and other tasks such as writing findings can be carried out efficiently.

(4) Fourth Embodiment Regarding the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the fourth embodiment, differences from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment starts an enlarged display mode for enlarging the contrast timer 6b at a time t22 when the time Tc has elapsed from the administration start time t1 of the contrast agent. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is configured such that the enlarged display mode is started when the operator 11 inputs a command for enlarging the contrast timer from the operation unit 7.

  The procedure for performing a contrast examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a procedure when a contrast examination is performed using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  The operator 11 administers a contrast medium to the subject 12 and performs an early phase examination. The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the operation performed by the operator in the early phase examination are the same as the procedure described with reference to FIGS.

  When the early phase examination is completed, the operator 11 operates the operation unit 7 at time t22 and inputs an enlargement command for enlarging and displaying the contrast timer before moving to the separate room 22. When the enlargement command is input, the contrast timer display control unit 55 starts the enlargement display mode. By executing the enlarged display mode, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed on the display unit 6 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the operator 11 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6 c from the separate room 22 without moving from the separate room 22 to the examination room 11.

  The operator 11 checks the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 during the waiting time W, and returns to the examination room 21 from the separate room 22 when the time for starting the late phase examination approaches. When returning to the examination room 21, the operator turns off the enlarged contrast timer 6c from the screen of the display unit 6 and conducts the late phase examination, as in the first embodiment. In this way, the contrast examination is completed.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the operator 11 operates the operation unit 7 and inputs an enlargement command, the enlargement display mode is started. Therefore, before the operator 11 goes to the separate room 22, the enlarged contrast is displayed. Timer 6 is displayed. Therefore, since the operator 11 who has moved to the separate room 22 can visually recognize the contrast timer 6c from the separate room 22 without moving again from the separate room 22 to the examination room 21, the examination room 21 can be viewed during the waiting time W. It is not necessary to go back and forth between the room 22 and the separate room 22 many times, and another work such as writing a finding can be performed efficiently.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed so as not to overlap the ultrasonic image G0, but may be displayed so as to overlap the ultrasonic image G0.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed on the display unit 6 together with the ultrasonic image G0. However, when the enlarged contrast timer 6c is displayed on the display unit 6, the ultrasonic image G0 may be hidden.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, a contrast examination in which an early phase examination and a late phase examination are performed is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the early phase examination and the late phase examination are performed, and can be applied to various contrast agent examinations in which a contrast timer needs to be displayed.

2 Ultrasonic probe 3 Transmission / reception unit 4 Echo data processing unit 5 Display control unit 6 Display unit 7 Operation unit 8 Control unit 9 HDD
51 Image Data Creation Unit 52 Memory 53 Image Display Control Unit 54 Elapsed Time Counting Unit 55 Contrast Timer Display Control Unit 100 Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device

Claims (13)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
The contrast timer display control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that starts the enlarged display mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since administration of the contrast agent. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
The contrast timer display control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that starts the enlarged display mode when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe is stopped. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
The imaging timer display control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that starts the enlarged display mode when the probe has not been applied to a subject for a predetermined time. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the ultrasonic image is not displayed when the enlarged contrast timer is displayed on the display unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
The imaging timer display control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that ends the enlarged display mode when transmission of ultrasonic waves from the probe is resumed. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A display unit;
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating an elapsed time from administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. A contrast timer display control unit to execute,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that starts the enlarged display mode during a waiting time between an early phase examination and a later phase examination.   The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged contrast timer is displayed on the display unit together with the ultrasound image.   The said contrast timer display control part terminates the said enlarged display mode, when the command for terminating the said enlarged display mode is input from the operation part, The any one of Claims 1-4 and 6 An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elapsed time counting unit that counts the elapsed time.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the elapsed time counting unit starts counting the elapsed time when information indicating a point in time when administration of the contrast agent is started from an operation unit. A program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. And a contrast timer display control process for starting the enlarged display mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the administration of the contrast agent,
A program to make a computer execute. A program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. And a contrast timer display control process for starting the enlarged display mode when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when transmission of the ultrasonic wave from the probe is stopped,
A program to make a computer execute. A program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a probe, acquires an echo signal from a subject to which a contrast agent is administered, and obtains an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal,
A standard display mode for displaying a contrast timer indicating the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent on the display unit, and an enlarged display mode for displaying the contrast timer on the display unit by expanding the contrast timer from the standard display mode. And a contrast timer display control process for starting the enlarged display mode when the probe has not been applied to the subject for a predetermined time,
A program to make a computer execute.